Ravens Step Up in Crunch Time Ravens 29 – UBC 10: Report by Peter MacDonald
On a cool early November day at UBC, with both teams missing some key players, it was anybody’s guess which team would prevail on the day. Initially it appeared that the Ravens would be that team as they easily mauled in two tries by the 20 minute mark and had an advantage in the sets and at the contact point. But UBC’s energy and pace of play brought them back into the game gradually and they were only down 12-3 at the half having dodged a bullet in the late stages when a UBC defender played the ball just outside his own try line while off his feet denying a likely try. He was yellow carded but the Ravens’ attack from the 5 metre line was stymied when the ball carrier Shelton was seen to make a second movement while off his feet after the tackle.
The opening 15 minutes of the second half was all UBC as at 43 minutes from lineout ball near the Ravens line Talon McMullin stepped inside his man and accelerated unstoppingly to the line for the score under the posts, 12-10. Notice had been given that the students’ traditional advantage of speed and second half stamina and would be in play. UBC cranked things up shortly after with #10 Jacob Bourne fielding a punt just over the touch line and quickly throwing it in to himself setting UBC off on a buildup from left to right that had the Ravens scrambling. A grubber to right winger Nick Adrianos to end the sequence looked like a try but it was not to be.
But it was now the Ravens that were under duress. They were pushed back at a 5 metre scrum and then were just able to hold up UBC’s captain #8 Wilson-Valdes over the line. Jack Carson’s goal line dropout then went directly into touch and it was back to defending a 5 metre scrum UBC put in. Luckily for the visitors, as UBC worked the ball towards the line, a UBC knock-on ended the threat.
At 55 minutes as substitutions began the Ravens started to right the ship. Jim Carson crashed through the gain line and, with advantage being played, cousin Don made more yards and the ball the moved quickly left through Crowell and Janes to the big flanker Shelton lurking on the wing who scored in the corner 17-10. It was still anyone’s game till Raven prop Josh Christy got out on a ramble and broke a key tackle at the UBC 22. As the defenders were closing in on him scrum half DeLigault floated in on his left shoulder to take the final pass and stride brightly in under the posts for the dagger try, 24-10 at 65 minutes.
The Ravens had one more flourish at 70 minutes when Jack Carson calmly faked a clearance kick at his 22 and then burst upfield for 50 metres linking then with Chris Taylor who had a gap and dummied for good measure as he picked up the pace and sent Grant Crowell in for a final try, 29-10.
UBC gave the Ravens a very good test and there was not much in it till the late stages. Wilson-Valdes in his remarks in the clubhouse after the game acknowledged the benefit of playing experienced players in the mens league as UBC heads into the National University Championship tournament very shortly. Good luck to UBC and hopefully they can do what the UBC women have now done and win it for a double.
The Ravens were led by captain Joe Locke who put in another strong 80 minute effort putting defenders under pressure both carrying the ball and defending and personifying that gap between mature players and emerging student players. In the backs centre Hamish Janes impressed with solid tackling and sound decision making with ball in hand and fullback Noah Jensen, getting his first start, showed off his quickness and savvy with a flawless game. All in all it was a good day for both teams with the Legacy Cup remaining with the Old Boys in the clutches of former UBC player, Ravens’ coach and moonlighting part time coach with UBC, Chris Taylor.