Game Results

Premier: James Bay 44, Velox 12

- written by John Lyall

The Velox Valhallians learned a hard lesson on the stiff challenges they will face in the CDI premier league last Saturday. Dominating possession and territory for the first 25 minutes netted Velox only a 7-0 lead. James Bay stormed back to score three unconverted tries in the final 15 minutes of the first half, to lead 15-7 at the half. 

A James Bay try at the whistle as both wingers raced for the ball, with our winger Andy Hopkins seeming to win, was a fitting sign of the day for our team. 

James Bay proved very explosive in the second half scoring 5 tries to our 1. Injury concerns mounted as Winston had to leave the field with twenty minutes to go. No determination on the extent of the knee injury, but Winnie will miss at least this weekend's game. 
   
Well played by a talented James Bay team.  Lessons learned for our team that we need to play hard for an entire 80 minutes in this extremely competitive league, and score points when camped in the opposing team's twenty two. Big Olly Atkinson and Murray both continue to play very well, with captain Mark Lawson and Rod Parker making some big sticks in the open field. 

Both teams travel to Capilano's in North Vancouver this weekend for what undoubtedly will be another stern test. 

(You can find pictures of this game at www.pbase.com/autie.... Paul)
 
1st Division: Velox vs James Bay

- written by Meic the Welshman

Well a glorious day at MacDonald park where the beavers were up against a pretty dominant team of James Bay from last season. This was going to be another huge forward dominated game. The game kicked off with James Bay gaining 6 early points through two easy penalties. Our lighter pack is going to struggle this year until they all gell and learn each persons patterns of play as new and old faces are playing every week.

Velox backs were matching their counterparts with every stride and tackle, but like last week against Oak Bay the tactics were to keep it tight and hit up their big forwards all game long. Being pushed back on almost every scrum is not encouraging for quick ball to release the eager backs. Lineouts were fiercely contested throughout with Alan, Jake and Ginger all doing impressive work in trying to disrupt the Bay's regular pattern off the lineout.

Some heads were dropping as the game progressed and the relentless pressure and constant tackling of our beaver forwards started to take it's toll.

So this week takes us to Capilano's for another almighty game for the Beavers - ROAD TRIP. Two games into the season and more composure of holding onto our ball is needed in order for the backs to capitalize.
Old Man Cunningham was man of the match and hooker come prop come winger come Crash Man Dave got hardest working hero and almost collapsed after playing 15 minutes for the premiers. Keep up the rugby Dave.

Another big victory during this game was of Todd Cunningham showing all that he can kick from in front of the posts - congratulations Todd.

Thanks to a great Velox fan turn out as usual and all being extremely vocal.

(not sure of the final for this one, but a decisive loss for the Beavers.... Paul)


U 16 Boys ? Velox 17- JBAA 15

- written by Mark Pratt
 
It was a touch and go day for rugby at James Bay?s Macdonald Park as the VIRU - U16 Boys rugby season kicked off with a match between Velox Valhallians & JBAA. Despite icy winds the boys moved the ball exceptionally well with both teams demonstrating their skills with trys in both halves of the 17 -15 game.
 
Velox initiated the scoring with a try by Velox #10, Chris Pratt, less than a minute into the game. JBAA recovered quickly and the game settled into a demonstration of superb tackling by both sides. Several times each side drove to the opposing try line only to be driven back with inches to go.  Velox Scrum half Marc Broughton eventually found a hole in the JB wall and plunged over the line after winning a scrum on the 5.
 
James Bay was not to be completely shut down and with some good speed and elegant ball handling the JBAA # 10 led his team to tie the game by the half.
 
Scoring in the second half was limited to a try apiece as the frigid weather took its toll.  Velox?s Chris Pratt blocked a JB kick and took the ball through the uprights to set up the only conversion of the game.
 
The Bay boys came back to score their third try with minutes to go bringing the game within 2 points. Velox dug in and held on to win despite some very good play from the host team.
 
Velox draws its players from several Victoria & Saanich area schools. In this game there were students from Mt. Doub, Vic High, GLNS, Reynolds and Claremont.


3rd Division: Velox 17 - Campbell River 10
 
- written by Ashley Anderson

 Well the Cleavers have kicked off their inaugural game of the 2005 3rd Division with a WIN. As the convoy left the parking lot on Saturday morning there were 11 intrepid souls looking forward to a fine day of rugby even though we were numbers challenged. It was a blend of the old and the new. Thanks to the Velox old boys who came out for the game and to Barry Wheelhouse for proving if you keep your scrumcap on they can't necessarily tell how old you are.

We decided to pop in on Friesee to see if he wanted a game, alas, Couch Guy was too drunk last time he was up in Courtenay and couldn't remember where he lived. So much for picking up a couple of players. We arrived at the field at 12:57 with a solid 3 minutes for warm-up. Ironically the Velox fans from Courtenay were already there waiting. Mike McGee was willing and able to throw on a jersey for us and our numbers go up to 12. The Campbell River squad being great sportsmen not only give us 20 minutes warm-up time but lent us 2 players and matched numbers to keep the game fair. (Although I did find out later that the 3rd div laws requires them to match numbers in any case)
 
The game tipped quickly in Velox's favour as Keaton, one of our fine new young recruits weaved and wiggled his was through the stalwart Campbell River defense to put us up 7-0 after the convert was made. Most of the 1st half was spent in the Campbell river half of the field. The way was led by Couch Guy who was the master of the 8-man pick and got several good runs off the back of the set pieces - he even passed a couple of times.

Velox's second try was off a penalty near the CR tryline. Richard another of our new young talent made a heads up play to flip it to Sarge, who realized he was really too old and tired to go one much further, drew the CR pack to him and with a delicate little flip passed it to So-Hay where he was able to rumble the last 5 meters for our second try.

There was the odd bit of pressure by the big CR forwards as they had a good rumble down the field but ball handling was not their ally on that day as they were overcome by knock ons. They kicked a fair bit to Mike, who in many cases got ball back to touch or up field for us to regain good position.

Sarge managed to keep his foot off the ball for the whole game, except 2 times. The second kick I will have to begrudgingly admit was a good kick and he did make touch up field to regive us good position.

Campbell river eventually replied with another try. The Score at the half was 14-10 as we made our converts and CR did not. After the first half in which CR had two injuries they took one guy back and we played 13's. The second half was back and forth and essentially scoreless except a penalty kick by James to put us up by 7 to a score of 17-10. It stayed that way until the end.
 
Great games by all. Man of the Match, Couch Guy for all the 8-man picks. Notables: everyone else for a hard fought game, and especially our youngest players, Richard, Keaton and So-Hay. Welcome to the club.
 
To everyone else who did not make the trip but wants to play, If you make practice, I can guarantee you some game time, if you don't make practice you will play anyway.
 
 
Women: Velox 7 - Meralomas 0

The ladies overcame difficulties travelling on Sunday to post a 7-0 win. The game was cut short due to a Grinch of a bus driver, and all teams should note that Squeekies apparently doesn't open until 9am on Sundays. 


Coming Up

This weekend is another full one for rugby. On Saturday, the Premier and First Division squads head to Capilano. Players and supporters travelling over need to meet at Velox at 7:30am to catch the 9am ferry. The women are at home Sunday, hosting Pocomo at 11:30.


3rds

The next VVIII's game is an overseas to Powell River coming up this Sunday. We will be meeting early at
6:20 am at the club and leaving at 6:30 in order to catch the 10:10 am ferry in Comox, returning back to
the club around 9:00 pm. It'll be a good day of rugby so come out and have a game and a beer or two. We will be car-pooling at this point, so anyone that can take a few guys could you let me know. Costs - $16.00 (ferry), gas and beer.

To celebrate the VVIII's undefeated streak, Sonoe will be cooking up a steak dinner this Thursday. 8 oz. NY, onions and mushrooms, baked potato, salad & bun - $8.

Darryl
akipops@yahoo.com


Chili Cookoff

Thanks to all participants in what was the most fiercely competitive Chili Cookoff in years. Thirteen chili's were entered, a club record.  Defending champion John Lyall lost in what has been described (by him, at least) as the upset of the century, by

1st place: Scott Kiel's friend
2nd place: Newfie Sue
3rd place: Couchguy
Best Seafood Chowder: Scott Kiel
Hottest: Jewel & Scotty


Referee Course

Hoping that some in your club might be interested in attending an introductory refereeing course on Sun Feb 20th 9am to 4pm at SMUS.

This course is designed for those new or with little experience to rugby, and especially aimed for those who may be wanting to referee the Grade 6 to 8 spring rugby. This is a great place to start refereeing. The cost for the course is $45 if you register with me ahead of time or $60 on the day. There is a practical component to
the course so be prepared to spend some of the time on the field.

It is hoped that the clubs will strongly support this. Anyone who is interested can reply to bkuklins@smus.ca

Yours in rugby,
Bruce Kuklinski
(VIRRS Chair)