Kamloops Match Reports by William Shaw: Women Outscored at Bayside, Men Defeat Ridge Meadows
Another early morning for the Kamloops Raiders as the Men and Women headed off to Ridge Meadows and Bayside respectively.
The Sharks from Bayside kicked off to the Raider Ladies under grey skies and cool temperatures at South Surrey Athletic Park. The Sharks came out flying and were very aggressive at the breakdown, causing problems for the Raiders. Both sides swapped possession initially with Milena Chambers, Riley Halvorson, and Mya Giardullo providing solid carries for the Raiders under significant Bayside pressure. Bayside eventually secured consistent possession and were the first to open the scoring, try was unconverted 0-5 Bayside.
The Raiders responded on the ensuing kickoff and put Bayside back under as they tied together consistent phases of their own, Aliyah Rodominski scored and tied up the game 5-5. The Raiders controlled the kickoff and continued their momentum. Attacking through constant pressure and off Bayside penalties. Thea Flundra scored next for the Raiders, Aliyah added the convert and the Raiders took a 12-5 lead.
The Raiders were required to put in significant defensive stands for the remainder of the 1st half. Center pairing of Callie Harder and Caleigh Silversides put in significant work locking down the midfield for the Raiders while wingers Kayla Comeau and Taylor Lawson ensured the Sharks didn’t get around the fringes of the Raiders defensive line. Jordan Kay and other Raiders defenders came up with some timely turn overs which Melissa Davies used to relieve the pressure Bayside was putting them under. Keisha Henry and Charise Overhoff-Coutu were solid in securing balls at lineout time. Despite the best efforts by the Raiders, Bayside added another 12 points before the halftime break and took a 12-17 lead into the break.
The second half saw much of the same play from Bayside as they used their forwards pack well across the field. Sara Fast and Carla Twan-Jensen worked hard to help stabilize the Raider scrum, under the Bayside pressure. The pressure at breakdown and scrum time had Emily Lindsay very busy and working hard at every breakdown.
The Sharks were on the better side of the scoring for the first 20 mins of the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points.
On an ensuing Raider scrum, Lizzy Gotuaco cleaned a ball up at the back and found Caleigh Silversides striding down the far sideline, she was able to beat the opposite winger and was rewarded with a try for her efforts, 17-34 for Bayside. With new wind in their sails, the Raiders had some sustained possession seeing the ball moving sideline to sideline with Shelby Lawson having a strong carry in front of the Raider bench. Aniko Hawthorne-Black was carrying hard and finding gaps in the Bayside defence and was doing great at getting the Raiders front foot ball.
The following Bayside possession saw Caleigh Silversides read the Sharks backline ball movement perfectly and intercepted the ball to add another score for the Raiders, 22-34 Bayside. The Sharks were quick to respond following the two quick Raider trys, and scored another try of there own to extend there lead, 22-39 Bayside.
The Raiders worked hard on the dying minutes of the game moving the ball side to side as they worked to find space. Taylor Lawson found a hole and was able to break a tackle and streak towards the try line. Bayside recovered and was able to tackle Taylor short of the line. With the Raiders pushing and Bayside scrambling on defence Emily Lindsay was able to pick form the base of the ruck and dive over the line to add another score. The try was unconverted and the game ended 27-39 Bayside.
Forward of the Match – Riley Halvorson
Back of the Match – Caleigh Silversides
Hardest Worker – Aniko Hawthorne-Black
After dropping the ladies in South Surrey, the Raiders men headed to Ridge Meadows. Ridge Meadows opened the scoring in the Men’s Division 2 match with a penalty and took a 0-3 lead. Lewis McKnight responded back for the Raiders, notching his own conversion and giving the Raiders the lead 7-3. The Raiders would not surrender the lead again throughout the game. Ridge Meadows notched another penalty, narrowing the lead 7-6 KRC, Lewis added a penalty for the Raiders and extended the lead 10-6 KRC. Ridge Meadows added another penalty, followed by a converted try from Lewis 17-9 KRC at the half.
Quinton Ormiston and Channer Chan both added trys and Lewis notched two more converts while the Bruins had also added an unconverted try of their own, 31-14 KRC. Ridge Meadows added an additional try before the game ended and despite playing the game with uncontested scrums and having a 10 minutes period with 14 men on the field, the Raiders won 31-19.
Forward of the Match – Max Heppner
Back of the Match – Lewis McKnight
Hardest Worker – Nicolas Willey
The Men will be hosting Kats at home next weekend, while the ladies will be away to Capilanos!
One In, All In