Photos from the Meralomas vs Pacific Pride at Starlight Stadium on April 6th, 2024
I had a chance to drop by Starlight Stadium, aka Westhills Stadium, to watch the Meralomas vs Pride match. The Lomas have been a success story in the BC Premier, going from 1-8 in the 2021-22 season to top contenders last season and this season.
We know Jebb Sinclair was a big part of that, as was their previous coach, newly appointed Pride and U20 coach, Christiaan Esterhuizen. But the behind the scenes guys were perhaps even more important, Brock Turner and Shane Cooke, I had a chance to meet them on Saturday and have a chat. I’m impressed by what I saw and heard. The Lomas won the match 35-7, here are some photos I took between conversations.
The Pride had some line breaks but most of the action was inside their half during the first 40 minutes. Ben James the blindside flanker for the Pride with this line break.
Von Richardson the Pride #7 on one of their line breaks in the first half.
Most of the action in the second half was from the Lomas, here their #10 Trent Ormsby sees some open field, Doug Fraser in support and for the Pride Noah Flesch, Ben James and Brady White tracking back.
The Lomas scrum half, Peter Hurst, had a strong game and here looks to distribute the ball.
The Lomas fullback, Louis Whelan, is one of the best in the league.
The Pride lineout working well, it looks like Ben James being lifted.
The Lomas #6 I believe, Corne Lukick, had a few strong runs and he looks to offload the ball to winger Dewi Williams
Lomas winger Dewi Williams accelerates through the tacklers, #15 for the Pride, Ty Driscoll, stretches for the tackle. Ben James shows up again, this time in defence. Louis Whelan in support. Dewi Williams scored a try on this run.
Pride scrum half Brady White was involved a lot on both sides of the ball.
Manuel Bustinduy, the Lomas outside centre, gaining some yards. This was another foray into the Pride 22 that ended in a try. Noah Flesch and Brady White again involved in defence, Louis Whelan in support.
Referee Derek Horton seems to be communicating with the touch judge on a potential call. This 2 photo sequence shows Lomas sub #19, Tom Williams, driving towards the line with scrum half Peter Hurst in support.
The tackle was made just before the goal line, the Lomas scored on the next phase. Noah Flesch and Brady White always busy on defence.
Doug Fraser subbed in early wearing #22 and was a force at inside centre.