Kamloops Match Reports by William Shaw: Women Defeat Capilano, Men Win Over Kats
Both KRC Senior squads were on the road this weekend for their final game of the first half. The men were away to Kats at Balaclava Park, while the women were playing Capilanos. However, due to field closures at Khlanie Park, the fixture was being played at Meralomas.
The ladies kicked off to Capilanos, and as they have throughout the first half, they put the receiving team under immediate pressure. The Caps were unable to get any continued go forward ball before the Raiders were in possession.
The mobile Raiders forwards attacked the Capilano in both the narrow and wider channels. Milena Chambers, Riley Halvorson, and Thea Flundra led from the front foot and attacked the Capilanos’ defense and made consistent yards on their carries. The Caps defense did a great job jackling over the ball whenever the Raiders were not quick enough in support. After significant Raider possession and territory, the Capilanos were pinged for a penalty, and Jess Oldenburger opened the scoring for the Raiders 3-0 over Capilanos. Riley fielded the ensuing kickoff, and the Raiders kept the momentum going forward. Kelsey Meryl kept the Capilano back three busy with great tactical kicking throughout the game, while the center pairing of Callie Harder and Caleigh Silversides, along with wingers Tamara Martin and Mel Davies provided outstanding chase and hard running with ball in hand throughout the game.
At scrum time, the Raiders kept the Capilanos under pressure through strong driving from 2nd rows Milena Chambers and Carla Twan-Jensen and a solid front row platform from Sara Fast, Mya Giurdullo and Riley Halvorson. As the Raiders continued to control the play during the first half, Riley was rewarded for her strong play she was on the scoring end of a fantastic team effort, 8-0 KRC. Jess Oldenburger was the next to score as she notched another penalty and pushed the lead out to 11-0. Lindsay Stobbe replaced Sara Fast around the 30-minute mark of the 1st half and provided new energy for the Raider forward pack. Before the end of the first half, inside center Callie Harder notched down the second Raiders’ try of the game, after continued strong running from the evasive KRC backline, 16-0 Raiders. The Raiders made a solid push into the Capilano end with Kalea Nokleby and Mel Davies connecting down the near sideline to have the Raiders in great field position, but as they did regularly throughout the first half the Capilano defenders turned the ball and kicked it out, Raiders led 16-0 at the break.
The Raiders came out of the gate to start the second with the same aggression and intensity that they had from the opening kickoff. It wasn’t long until the Raiders were back in the Caps 22m and Jess O was notching another penalty to push the Raiders up 19-0. Credit to the Capilanos who also started the second half with a renewed fire and enthusiasm, both sides spent a period of play shifting back and forth on either side of the halfway line. Off an ensuing Kamloops scrum, the Raiders centers, running hard line off the ball opened up a hole in the Capilanos midfield. Kelsey found a flying Aliyah Rodominski who streaked through the middle of the field like a rat up a drain pipe!
The Caps defense did a great job to regroup and catch Aliyah. With KRC now in excellent attacking position, Mel Davies was able to find some space in the wide channel and score another for the Raider, Jess knocked over the convert, and the Raiders led 26-0.
After this score, the Raiders found themselves repeatedly on the wrong side of the referees whistle for a few different reasons. The Capilanos took advantage of this and marched the Raiders back through kicking for touch and strong ball running. The Raiders did a great job of defending, holding up a would be Capilano try.
Unfortunately, the indiscipline continued, and the ref showed Kalea Nokleby a yellow after repeated team infringements.
The women in purple continued to put their bodies on the line, holding up a second Capilano try. After a long stint in the Raiders 22m the hard running Capilano forward pack found a break and were able to score their first try of the game, convert wasn’t made, and the Raiders led 26-5.
Taylor Lawson relieved Tamara after a strong shift on the far wing, while Lizzy Gotuaco relieved scrum half Emily Lindsay who passed, sniped and made solid covering tackles throughout the first 60 minutes. Shortly after, as the Raiders pushed back into the Capilano end, Lily Watkinson, Tayla McMillan and Zoe Abbey (recent KRC Junior program graduate) came onto the field bring fresh legs and energy. The Raiders continued to push maintaining ball and position deep into the Capilano end. Kayla Comeau provided Mel Davies a break after a performance that earned her the Raiders Hardest Worker award post game.
The aggression and tempo from the Raiders stayed high, and the push for more points was unfortunately unsuccessful. The ball was cleared out of bounds, bringing the game to an end. This game was a solid performance from the Raiders 1-23, it kept the crowd, and especially this writer, on edge throughout the game.
Thanks to Meralomas for hosting the fixture!
Forward of the Match – Kalea Nokleby
Back of the Match – Callie Harder
Hardest Worker – Mel Davies
The Raiders now head into the winter break top of the table, at 5-0 with 29 points. The Comox Valley Kickers sit 2nd with 24 points and a game in hand on the Raiders in the BC Rugby Women’s Division 1 League.
Just 10 minutes away at Balaclava Park the KRC Senior Men were in another tight BC Rugby Mens Division 2 match up against Kats. Nat Watts scored the only try for the Raiders while Charlie Kinloch added the conversion. Kinloch’s boot also added 4 penalties for the visitors. This game went down to the wire with penalty kicks changing the lead multiple times in the last 5-10 minutes. Thankfully for the Raiders, they were on the winning end of the penalty battle with Charlie notching his 4th of the Match in the dying minutes, giving the Raiders an 19-18 win over the hosting Kats.
Forward of the Match – Quinton Ormiston
Back of the Match – Charlie Kinloch
Raider of the Day – Cameron Graham
The KRC Men currently sit 5th in the Men Division 2, with 2nd to 5th being within 7 points of each other and the Raiders having a game in hand over them due to an early season game cancellation.
The second half looks bright for both of the Senior Raider squads!
One in, All in