Kamloops Match Reports by William Shaw: Raiders Split Games in Coquitlam, Women Defeat United, Men Lose Their Match
With a double game vs United for both Senior Raider teams, the squads left Kamloops at 5:45 am for Town Center Park, Coquitlam.
The ladies kicked off to the hosting United in rainy, grey conditions. The wet conditions hampered the hosts, and the Raiders were able to regain possession. The Raider forwards moved the ball cleanly between them and with strong carries from Thea Flundra and Lindsay Stobbe, the Raiders were breaking the gain line. The United scrumhalf showed her pace early and often throughout the game, causing problems for both KRC scrum halves, while United showed great pace off the defensive line.
The experienced Raider backline moved the ball from sideline to sideline with Lily Watkinson and Caleigh Silversides both having strong carries in the opening minutes.
Caleigh opened the scoring for the Raiders as the ball was moved wide and went through the backline and to the far sideline, where she ran it in, Jess Oldenburger added the conversion 7-0 Raiders.
The safe handling of the Raiders started to fade, and the relentless United defence continued. While the Raiders had more possession, United did well to keep releasing the Raider pressure. Mel Davies kept the play in the United half through solid backline play and hard running of centers Kelsey Meryl and Callie Harder. The backs connected on a great up and under from Mel to Kelsey, and we’re back down on the United 22m.
Raiders engine room pairing of Milena Chambers and Carla Twan-Jensen were busy putting in strong carries, with Mya Giardullo and Charise Overhoff-Coutu offering tight support. However, the Raiders continued to struggle at converting their trips into the United 22m into points. Aliyah Rodominski was the next Raider to cross the try line as she broke through the would be United tacklers and added another 5 points, try was unconverted 12-0 KRC.
The great pressure by United started to pay dividends for them as they tied together a long series of offensive play and took advantage of KRC infringements. This resulted in them getting a kick at goal infront of the uprights and narrow the gap,12-3 KRC.
Carrie Lange and Kayla Comeau provided fresh legs and strong carries in tight and down the wing for the Raiders respectively. The hosts were able to get back into the Raider 22m and despite their effort, they were penalized at breakdown and the Raiders kicked the ball to end the first half leading 12-3.
Lizzy Gotuaco and Keisha Henry joined the squad to start the second half. The Raiders didn’t field the ensuing kickoff well and were quickly back under pressure on their 22m. The Raider forwards continued to turn the United ball over at critical times and the backs continued to get the ball back towards the half line. The United defence respected the hard running Raider center pairing, this opened up space for the Raider back three and resulted in Aliyah regularly bumping tackles to make great yards with solid support from Kayla, Lily and Callie. Despite these gains, the Raiders continued to struggle to maintain possession. As the Raiders tightened up their carries and speed to the breakdown they were quickly rewarded with the forwards breaking down the far sideline before finding Caleigh Silversides who added another try for a brace on the day, Jess notched another conversion and KRC pushed their lead to 19-3.
The Raiders hit their stride for the next 5-8 mins, and as the backs broke the line again down the close sideline, they worked their way deep into the United 22m. Kelsey Meryl was rewarded for her supporting line as she scored her first try of the game, 24-3 KRC. The Raiders were unable to keep the pressure on United, as they found a gap and broke in the Raider 22m. Aliyah was streaking across and made a hard try saving tackle on the United runner. The ref deemed this tackle to be high and she was shown a Yellow Card. United maintained possession and pressure of the penalty, despite a long goal line stand and strong tackles from Jess Oldenburger, Riley Halvorson and the other the 12 Raiders on the field, United finally found a gap and scored their first try of the game, adding the convert, 24-10 KRC.
Denaya Bennett and Taylor Lawson brought new energy and continued to keep the pressure on United in the wide channels, while Emily Lindsay made another successful cameo on the flank for Raider pack. The two sides continue to jockey for field territory and possession. The Raiders shifted things in their favour and Aliyah joined them after her 10 minute break. As the forwards worked hard to get into the opposition 22m, Lizzy Gotuaco was able to find the striding KRC backline, Denaya was able to fend the remaining United defender out wide and bag herself a try, unconverted, 29-10 KRC. This would remain the final score, as the ladies secured wins in both of their games this January.
Thanks to the United squad for a great game.
Forward of the Match – Lindsay Stobbe
Back of the Match – Aliyah Rodominski
Hardest Work – Mya Giardullo
The KRC Men kicked off shortly after the women’s game finished. As in the ladies games, both teams struggled early on with the weather conditions creating handling errors across the pitch.
Both sides entered each other’s 22m but neither were rewarded with points early on. United earned a penalty in the KRC 22m, opting for points they turned that into the first score of the game 0-3 United. The two sides continued to battle with strong tackles from both forward packs and hard running midfields working hard to break the gain line. United was next to score adding another 7 points and pushing their lead to 0-10. Charith Dep was able to add 3 for the Raiders when United was pinged for a penalty in their own 22m. The score going into half was 3-10 United.
The second half saw United add to their lead as their backline came alive and found gaps across the field. While the Raiders continued to attack, things just didn’t click 100%. United scored 26 additional points before the Raiders responded and Ben Carroll added an unconverted try, 8-36 United. Justin Blanchard was able to get a great read on the United inside center, and picked off an ensuing pass to go 50+ meters and add another tally for the Raiders, 13-36 United. Not to be done on that note, United punched in the final try of the game, final score 13-41 United.
Forward of the Match – Quinton Ormiston
Back of the Match – Ben Carroll
Raider of the Day – Quinton Ormiston
The ladies now have a few week break before playing away to Bayside on Feb 21, while the men are away to Surrey next weekend.
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