Capilano RFC Match Reports: Caps Host Nanaimo
from Capilano Rugby
Caps welcome Nanaimo RFC
Caps always enjoy playing Nanaimo Hornets. The Snowcaps likewise enjoy playing the Yous to Bees over 40s. The two clubs have much in common and several ex Capilano players have played for the Hornets. Someone said to me yesterday it looks like an inter squad game. Both teams wear similar colours and the rivalry is strong but respectful! Capilanos are sad to see Nanaimo out of the Premier Division and hope to see them back in soon. The last time I remember them visiting they played a great game at the Premier level and the game was won by Caps at the final whistle by a Jeremy Simon drop kick. That was a classic game and todays first division match was a cracker also! I will defer to my colleague Steve Feenstra to report on that game. Also it is great to have Jayne Isherwood cover the Womens action as well. It is too big a job for one person and we are far better covered now.
Today both clubs recognized the passing of Don Dunbar. Don started with the Caps shortly after our merger in 1969/70 and toured Ireland with the Capilanos twice. His work with BC Tel now Telus took him to Nanaimo where he joined the Hornets. Don loved Rugby and he started the IRS; International Rugby Sluts, who would play rugby anywhere with any team that would have them. He was quite an unforgettable character to say the least. Following todays game Marty Leblond another Capilano alumni who now lives in Nanaimo and supports the Hornets gave Don an excellent speech and a beer toast by all of those present. This included Dons daughter Kimberley, niece Claire Jones and nephew Harry Jones whose Uncle Cliff is married to Dons sister. I said Harry was one of the best Canada 7s players ever and he denied that but I believe that he was! Harry said a few words and it was a pleasure to see him back at Klahanie.
The 3rd Division Men’s Match:
At the start I thought Caps might be in tough following their upset win over Kats last weekend. Nanaimo had some strong runners and they scored first after their number 10 found a gap and turned on the speed to score under the posts. He then slotted the conversion and the Hornets were up by seven. It took a while for Caps to find their game but under the leadership of Brad Whiteman they did get it together. Nanaimo was stronger in the sets and Caps were dominant in the lineouts. Brad Wightman was Caps man of the match but also having a strong outing was number 4 Jack Rainer who laid many hard hits and looked dominant. Young Keita Dueck also put in a hard shift and left injured in the second half hopefully he isnt too badly hurt as Caps are very short of Props and the game had to go uncontested scrums after Keita went off. Caps have some good young talent that can and will be developed if this 3rd division team can keep it together. Great to see another Franklin on the field.
Caps got back into the game after assaulting the Hornets goal line. Nanaimo defended well but Caps finally slammed one over. The convert missed but the home team was back in the hunt. The score remained 5-7 at the half and I suspect that some of the Nanaimo players from the first side had been filling in but had to get ready for the First Division contest. Nanaimo was struggling in the second half and were playing shorthanded. That was unfortunate because with a full side they were into the game. Caps opened it up in the second half with Brad Wightman finding a lot of space and unloading, some of the time to team mates. Caps backs particularly number 12 were running well as were some of the bench players that came on. Number 22 came on at half back and made a great run down the shortside for a try that seemed to turn the game strongly for Caps. The final score was 26-7. This was the second win in a row for a Capilano side that has had some tough outings but seems to have turned it around. A few veterans and lots of younger players is a good combination.
Scorers for Capilano not in any particular order were: Isaac Stone, Rhys Wright, Reece Roberts, Keita Dueck, and Julian. Congratulations to Capilano and thanks to Nanaimo for the game. Also thank you to the referee who was one of three female game officials today. Thanks for a job well done!
John Langley
2nd Division Women’s Match
Capilano 2s Impress
On a wet Saturday morning, the Capilano Women’s 2nd division team took on the Nanaimo Hornets. The game began with a stalemate that lasted around 15 minutes – both sides not willing to falter on defense to allow the first try of the match to be scored. The beginning of this game was very much so a middle-of-the-pitch affair with neither team really getting past the 10-meter line. Sarah Elias broke through for Capilano to end the try-less limbo; her speed and power are proving a problem for opponents. Nanaimo had some powerful ball carriers but Capilano handled them with confident tackling. Capilano’s confidence grew steadily after this and the team was able to punch their way up the field back into Nanaimo’s 22. Strong carries by the forwards set up the perfect attacking opportunity for the backs as Shelby Slay dotted one over just 5 minutes later. Francesca McDonnell noticed some empty field space behind Nanaimo and put up a beautiful chip that was well chased and the Caps were able to regain possession, again on the 22. Nanaimo had a few injuries in quick succession after this second Capilano try, and with no subs were playing short.
Off a well-worked lineout Francesca McDonnell put another kick up and Sarah Elias chased well to score her second try of the match. Played calmed throughout the first half and were able to play with much of the possession. Right off the kickoff for the second half offloading forwards created plenty of space on the wing for Sarah Elias to score her third try of the match. Caps were playing with a lot of pace and energy in the second half. A short goal-line dropout resulted in a great attacking opportunity as Sarah Elias grabbed it, broke through some tacklers, and offloaded to Frenchy to make it 25-0 for Capilano. Minutes later Sarah Elias (again – she was all over the pitch) got the ball in space and was lethal for her fourth. Mia Hill was subbed on and seconds later score a try and kicked the conversion – bringing Capilano up to 39-0.
Nanaimo had another player down and there was a long conversation about how the game would continue. In the end, Nanaimo decided to play on with their 8 players and managed to string together a beautiful play off a scrum to put some points on the board. Alicia Parker-Sutton scored her very first try ever with the conversion to boot to finish off the game for Capilano at 46-5.
Thanks to Nanaimo, the referees, and all our fans for cheering us on! Capilano women are back in action on the Island on Saturday the 2nd at James Bay (2nds) and Westshore (Prems)
The 1st Division Men’s Match:
On an overcast day the Hornets from Nanaimo Div. 1 team played one of their better games of the year to come away with a one point victory over the Capilano squad. A game that could have easily gone either way ended with a spectacular convert from the Hornet kicker that sealed the match for the island visitors.
The Hornets dominated the scoreboard in the first half, but the game didn’t feel out of the Caps grasp. The 20-7 half time hornet lead was formidable but not insurmountable, as the Caps proved with their strong play in the second half.
It only took 3 min. for Nanaimo to open their account, taking advantage of a Cap turnover to cross the whitewash for 5 plus the extras to make it 7-0 Hornets.
Caps came back hard but a turnover at the Nanaimo line prevented a chance to tie it up. Nanaimo came right back up the field and with a PK made the score 10-0 Hornets. Caps stopped the Hornets briefly to crank their side of the scoreboard by doting down and converting at the 16 min mark. 10-7 Hornets. The islanders managed to get their scoreboard ticking over with another try and convert at 25 min. 17-7 Nanaimo. Another Hornet PK rounded out the 1st half scoring with the visitors enjoying a 20-7 lead.
The second half started with the caps trying to utilize their wide game and Nanaimo pounding the inside game. It took a great effort by Caps #2 Ryan Scott to breathe some life into the Caps He made some tackle breaking runs of which one had him score a try for the caps to make it 20-12 for Nanaimo. Then the Caps started to assert themselves and played some of their best rugby in a few weeks. A try and convert at 55 min. had the local men within a point at 20-19 Hornets. Another Cap try at 64 minutes by # 9 Giles Klaver had all the spectators out of their seats. From his own side of centre Klaver soccer kicked it twice, outran the defenders and dove fully extended onto the ball for one of the most exciting tries at Klahanie this season. with convert 26-20 Caps.
Full credit to the Hornets as they worked all the way back up the field to score with one minute left in the game. Now 26-25 for Caps with the game riding on the convert. It wasn’t an easy convert, about 30 metres from goal line and 5 metres from the side line. The crowd grew quiet as the Nanaimo kicker stared at the ball and then the posts. He took three steps, swung through the ball and watched as the ball sailed toward the posts. Would it make the distance or fall short. Everyone gasped as the ball landed squarely on the crossbar bounced up and fell in to the endzone.
Nanaimo players and fans erupted while Caps players and fans could only say well done. A pressure kick whose reward was the win. After the ensuing kickoff the whistle blew to end the game. As stated at the top of the report a great game to watch.
Thanks to the Hornets
Thanks, to the match officials
Steve Feenstra