Game Results

Premier: Velox 7 - Burnaby Lake 18

 - written by John Phillips
 
Velox traveled across the water to face one of the competitions favourites, Burnaby Lake RU. After a fog bound trip on the ferry it was a most pleasing to watch the fog clear and the blue sky prevail. The Firsts gave the club an excellent start with a thrilling and well-deserved win over Burnaby Firsts (see Meic the Welshman's detailed comments). The Premier team, while by no means able to field it's front line squad due to injuries was not lacking in depth, experience nor talent, faced a side that had lost one game, endowed with a big set of forwards and murderously fast outside backs.
 
The game kicked off with the Burnaby forwards immediately applying the pressure and from a lineout pummelled the line until a gap finally opened resulting in a try by Pat Riodan. More was to follow with the Burnaby back line  swept in for a further two tries to Matt Young and Thomas Glason and with the score at 15 nil, Burnaby failing in all their conversion attempts, it looked like a long day for Velox. Velox however thought otherwise, despite Burnaby's glut of possession through a series of Velox turnovers and being on the wrong side of a penalty count, Mark Collers for Velox managed to score a nifty well deserved try under the posts closing the first half with the score at 15 to 7.
 
In the second half Velox's defense managed to hold the line conceding only a penalty goal. For the next 40 minutes the teams battered away at each other, Velox moving the ball down field, camping for extended periods inside Burnabyss 25 but unable the move the ball those last precious meters and at the final whistle Burnaby ran out winners with the score at 18 to 7.
 
It was a bruising encounter leaving all the players worse for wear. Velox players had a hard time coming to terms with the referees interpretation, or should I say his emphasis on particular rules, something the Burnaby players benefited from having worked with the referee in the past. That aside, Burnaby is a well-balanced side both in defense and attack and deserved the point for the win.  
 
Burnaby Lake
Tries: Matt Young, Thomas Glason, Pat Riordan
Pen: James Read

Velox:
Try: Mark Collers
Con: Winston Stanley

First Division: Velox 19 - Burnaby Lake 10

- written by Meic the Welshman

This was another to be bruising game for the mighty Beavers of Velox. The boys vs men game the previous week had us at our lowest for the season. Some 7/8 changes were made with injured guys back and guys earnings spots on merit. An undefeated Burnaby Lake team revelling in their wins I would assume!

This game a different attitude had to be in the 80 minutes ahead. No injuries in the warm up and there was a very good feel in the air. It seemed that Burnaby tactics had a few hard running guys in their pack always looking for the ball running towards our backs - after 80 minutes they didn't find any holes. Superior defending and conversing between all players made the defense the best it has been all season. 

Forwards were running from deep breaking through the gain line. Quick ball from Ants (back from retirement) passing to Todd, and some slick moves almost saw the Welshman through with the line in sight. The off load to Duck went forward - this set the platform for the backs as this move surely told us that their backs didn't know what hit them with this move. 

The first try of the game came from our new Beer Monster Letawske. Superb hitting up from the forwards led by another unretired kiwi Boner, with all 8 playing a huge part in the platform to set up all tries. Good boshhing up the middle from Mark Choo Choo Train, off loading to Duck, thus sending Beer Monster under the posts - and Johhny Cunningham held his nerve to slot the easy convert. This is the 1st game of the half that the beavers have been in the lead. The buzz just got bigger. 

Ray, 1st game back after injury, was instrumental in turning over ball as was Rod 'Million Dollar Baby' Parker. Colin and Peter were just menaces all afternoon with the Dude obtaining a nasty hole in his head. 2nd try cam from immense forward pressure with rolling mauls and drives with Jake and Jai leading the pack setting up a scrum. Quick ball sent the Welshman untouched under the sticks. - converted by Todd. This lead was superb as the team was being driven on confidence - as the forwards were the driving force. 3rd try came from the middle of the park, completely catching the opposition light on the blind side: Ants to Welshman who ran 20 yards, over the head to Travis running 20 yards then passing inside to Letawske. He runs past the ball sits down on the try line Welshman picks up and dives over Letawske taking 2 burnaby players and the corner flag to score the try.

2nd half score Burnaby score 2 unconverted tries after being camped on the Velox line for some 20 minutes or so. This was a gargantuan (big word to impress John Lyall) performance in defence and attack. This shows with the solid platform that the forwards give us, that the backs can match any set of backs in this league - OT had a strong game and his winger never looked like going through the same with Travis's winger who was their danger man.

Peter had hardest worker as he played the full 80 @ hooker, with Letaswke gaining the Burnaby vote for man of the match - he could have had 2 tries if he wasn't sitting down!

A good sing on the way home became very personal but extremely friendly. Many thanks to the over vocal supporters (most vocal in the league) keep drinking the 'Lucky'. Thanks to Ginga for running the line for Eric and not spilling his beer.

Next week we host Bayside and another team who is revelling with wins.

I would like to mention Scotland finally won a rugby game only just though - Wales for the Cup! and England lost again.

U16's: Velox 43 Cowichan 15

- written by Mark Pratt
 
Velox Valhallians home fields were alive with the sound of mini rugby this past Sunday. Players from 5 to 16 years and fans of all ages were part of the Velox Mini Jamboree. A tremendous effort by several stalwarts of mini rugby, notably; John Lyall, Doug Ware, Sandy Dunford and Paul Steel on the grill assisted by great weather put on the club's 5th successful "mini" games.
 
A jamboree does not succeed without it's volunteers and Velox is blessed with many from the ranks of parents and senior teams including: coaches: Brian, Scott, Eric, John Page, Jamie, Sarah, Cathy  and refs; Mark Lawson, Dave Neel, Chris Pratt, Mark Colless, Casey Dunning and Dave Jawl. (Apologies to those with incomplete names or whose names were missed)
 
Several clubs were well represented by U-8 / 10 / 12 / 14 & 16 teams from the Castaway Wanders, Nanaimo Hornets, Cowichan (U16s only) and our own valiant Valhallians.
 
The final game in the youth program was the much anticipated rematch between Velox's U16 boys and Cowichan's team 2.  The first meeting of the season did not go well for the Velox lads and as suggested in that post game review, Coach's Bob Love and Joe Fuailefau put the boys through their paces this past week to prepare for today's game.
 
Practices keyed on getting into contact early to prevent the great driving runs Cowichan is known for. The coaches concentrated on our rucking and mauling to thwart the Piggies famous pick and go play.
 
Whether it was the hard practice or touching the Totem on the way to the pitch it was apparent from the opening play that the Velox boys were intent on preventing a repeat of last weeks rout. Two quick tries put Cowichan on the defensive for the first time in the history of these two young teams.
 
Cohesive ground action by forwards led by our prop Alex Gray, Sean (Irish) Kelly, Cam Saunders, Keenan Burkinshaw, Tyler Krenbrink, Iain Robertson, Shealand Keais and James Copping kept the ball from Cowichans hands. Keais and Copping earning their blue & white by assisting in the opening tries by winger Riley Moss and scrum half Marc Broughton.
 
Backs Led by team captain fly half Chris Pratt went on the offensive early and often. Using game strategy and techniques Bob brought back from the recent French connection in Vancouver the backs spread the ball wide and with variations that were a joy to watch. Recent additions from Parklands Secondary made their presence known as fullback Bruce Watson and centre Simon Davidson fit easily into the Velox game plan moving the ball exceptionally well. Veteran Valhallian Kieran Dunford lived up to his nickname the "tackling machine" working with centres Matt Fuailefau, Myles Lee, and wingers Sean Carson, Ross Bright to halt the Cowichan backs in their tracks. Wing Riley Moss ran the ball with his usual dodging skill until called on to replace injured scum half Marc Broughton. Moss evidenced his utility by keeping the drive alive as the game ended with a score of 43 -15.
 
Velox tries were put in by Riley Moss, Alex Gray, Chris Pratt (2), Ross Bright, Marc Broughton and Brandon Shetter. Pratt converted 4 times including two beauties from near impossible side line angles. 
 
Overheard comments from the highly knowledgeable game observers on the clubhouse roof were; "the word is out to come watch the U 16's play"..."All played with commitment and passion"..."Basic skills and understanding look very good"...Looks - like a team we can build on: U-16 - U18 - U21!!
 
Velox is on the road to Nanaimo next week, lets hope they will carry this momentum forward!
 
Coming Up

The A's and B's are at home this Saturday against Bayside (1pm and 2:45). The women's team is holding a fundraiser: Massage for Montana. They are raising money to go to Maggot Fest by taking donations for back massages. Leave your pants on, Chad.

There has been a change for the 3rds though: instead of traveling to Nanaimo on Sunday, we are now at home. 1pm kickoff.

The following Saturday will certainly be a big day for the club: a triple header at home. The Premiers play the Pride, the Firsts play Port Alberni, and the Thirds will start it off against Campbell River (moved from Sunday).

Dates to Remember

Mark April 9th (Saturday) on your calendar: the date of our annual awards banquet. Tickets will be $25/each. Also plan to be at the  club on March 31st for the AGM.