Velox Valhallians RFC 
1) Chad Vath 2) John Lyall 3) Rod Parker 4) Darryl Hall 5) Oliver Atkinson 6) Scott Harnden 7) Mark Lawson (captain) 8) Murray Smith 9) Dave Neill 10) Winston Stanley 11) Andrew Hopkins 12) Doug Hemmingway 13) Chris Houston 14) Travis Quinn 15) Mark Colless
16) Ray Young (for 1 at 60 min) 17) Jai Cleal 18) Evan Machin (for 7 at 65 min) 19) Kevan Letawske 20) Meic Thomas (for 13 at 65 min) 21) Konrad Nikkel 22) Dale Grimston
 
Bayside Sharks RFC
1)      Tagilala 2) Mike Maclean 3) Loopy Christianson 4) Neil Kinskofer 5) Mike Pajic 6) Adam Roberts 7) Adam Van Staveren 8) Jeff Davis 9) Stiver Bremner 10) Andy Seymour 11) Tom Myring 12) Andrew Hoffman 13) Chris Pack 14) Matt Reeve 15) Geoff McIntyre
 

Note: I've added some pictures of this game to the website. Follow the link below! PE
http://veloxrugby.com/pictures.htm


1st Division: Velox 41 - Bayside 17

written by Meic the Welshman

Firstly tries scored by Jai x2, Ray, Fler on the wing, Sean (18) plus conversions, Jake and Peter (no. 7 or 2).

Once again this was a must win game against a mainland rival whom we knew very little about and like us have struggled in this pretty tough league and have only a few wins. The team was packed with those superstars that overcame Burnaby the previous week.

The Beavers had to set the tone for the afternoon's rugby games - the crowd were extremely vocal with old man Sandy leading the charge with the president continuously adding more points behind the sticks.

Once again a pack sizing much bigger than ours - big backs with a south seas look about them. Velox forwards had to dominate or be dominated and the fore was the way of the afternoon. A few happenings the referee interpreted as foul caused the Beavers to play with 2 men in the bin (one in each half) and an unfortunate incident where Colin was sent off for some hairdressing (too sticky, right Colin?).

So, forwards were under immense pressure almost for 60 minutes of the game. Ray was leading  as always with Peter having his best game of his young Velox career and no penalties. Cam Neish as always not a big guy but plays 80 minutes every week at prop and never complains. Boner with the sniffles was instrumental in the lineout as was Jake.  Letawske was always a menace covering  - as this to me was the fastest game that we had set ourselves. It now looks like our forwards have finally gelled to offer the backs a huge platform. 

Backs marchalled by Ants, Welshy (stepping in for old man Zimmer at no. 10) with the battering rams of Mark and Dale who never looked like being tested all afternoon .Flyer on the wing had the try of the game sprinting in 60 or so yards leaving 2 fijians and a canadian in his wake to score in the corner. Young Barney added huge depth and speed in at fullback plus he added some conversions, and was always sniping for the ball and killing their backs with his pace even though his southern hemisphere buddy did catch him on a break and tried to rip his head off.  OT had a relatively quiet game but once again showed his class in defence and his ever present solid runs. 

Subs used: Eric, Jeff, Konrad (who is this guy?) Petunia, 18 and Hawkins.

After the game several old boys came up to me and stated that this was the best performance that the Beavers have displayed in a long time - composure, quick ball, backs running and the first time the forwards have outscored the backs this season - keep it up. Man of the match went to Welshy (who's got my Beaver hat?), and hardest worker went to Jake.

We are looking to take the points again next week against Port Alberni at home. Thanks to those who cooked up the huge smokies for after game meal and all supporters. All players - Court @ Cam & Couch guys house Sat 12th.

Congratulations to a full sweep for Velox on the weekend.


3rds: Velox 31 - Nanaimo 21

First off, thanks go out to Darryl for organizing the game and the food, and to Junior for stepping up and refereeing despite a massive hangover. He tells me that he will never yap at a referee again.

In true third division fashion, the score is a bit of an estimate, as no one seemed to bother to keep track. Velox maintained control through much of the match though, so we might have had a few more points than I've written here.

Once again, a few younger players showed up from Vic High, and represented themselves well. Definitely some future stars there. Their coach, Barney, felt obliged to lace them up and show his kids how it's done (winning man of the match, but botching on the boat race). The surprise appearance of the day has to be Mike Joss: former Velox bar manager and current club sponsor through his pub, the Beagle. Mike laced them up and ran at prop for a half.

 

U16's: Velox 26 Nanaimo 22
 
-written by Mark Pratt

Spectators at Sunday's Velox & Nanaimo's U16 Boys were treated to a great game of rugby between two well matched teams. Both clubs have big skilled forwards and fleet footed backs.
 
Velox's quick, wide ball distribution set the pace early as they came close to scoring twice in the opening moments of the game. They in turn were almost stung as the Hornets retaliated with a well executed drive resulting in a sure try that was held up by Velox lock James Copping.
 
That try saving play seemed to stall the Hornets and Velox fullback Kieran Dunford put in a nice clearing kick from the 22 that gave the visitors great field position. In the next play Velox fly half Chris Pratt broke free and was able to feed wing Sean Carson who found the corner flag at the 8 minute mark.
 
The game turned into a grinder with scrums won and lost evenly by both sides. Velox's big forwards Alex Gray, Tyler Krenbrink and Cam Saunders were challenged by Nanaimo's well disciplined pack particularly their big eight man whose crashing runs threatened to break through every time he took the ball. There were no doubts about the forward of the game for Velox being awarded once again to Gray as he worked his pack hard meeting each Hornet challenge head on giving little ground for the full 60 minutes.
 
Three recent additions to the Velox team: scrum half Rob Evans of Parklands Secondary stepped in to replace injured Marc Broughton; Lock, Brandon Gubbins of Spectrum weighed in with some tremendous tackles, earning him the respect of his team-mates and opponents alike; Wing Andrew Ferguson of Mt Doug exercised his blazing speed on right side adding to the already dangerous back line.
 
The man of the match for Velox was centre Kieran Dunford, making his debut as fullback. The change was obviously the right move for this game. The position gave him room to demonstrate his speed and agility which paid off at the 20 minute mark with a great run for Velox's third try of the game.
 
The second half opened with the intensity of a new game as Velox's speedy utility back Riley Moss took a break from the scrum half position to make his mark on the board with a great outside run scoring 4 minutes into the half.
 
With 20 minutes to go in the game Pratt scored Velox's fourth try. Setting himself up for the easy conversion by diving between the posts after a run through a gap opened with a jaw dropping dummy that left several Hornets grabbing at air.
 
Nanaimo did to let up for a moment and the game was never certainly for either club. In the end the clock determined the win as time ran out on the Hornet's last minute surge. The win came down to kicking as only two conversions separated these to teams in the final score.
 
Trys by;
Velox - Sean Carson, Riley Moss, Kieran Dunford, Chris Pratt try + 3 conversions.
Nanaimo - Brody Strasin 2 trys, Oliver Catlins 2 trys + 1 conversion
 

Coming Up

Don't forget the schedule for this weekend. At home Saturday we have:

11am            3rd division vs Campbell River
1pm             1st division vs Port Alberni
2:45            Premier vs Pride

We are planning a court session for the men's teams that evening, hosted by Cam and Couch Guy.

The women travel Sunday to SFU, and the U16's are home to CW.


More Announcements

1. With the banquet approaching, club members will get their chance to vote on this year's winner of the George Jones award. Voting will be held next Thursday, the 17th.

2. Kim Coyle has planned a bit of an 'ad hoc drinking function' at the club on the 19th of March. Both the A's and the B's are in Vancouver and will be back to the club by about 9.15pm. If we can get coach Stanley's A(ss) into G(ear) then we'll also be having Texas Hold'em and Crib going on all night. There will also be live music from DJ 'Bar Tender' via the state of the art Velox surround sound system. All players and drunkards are encouraged to attend.

3. The 2005 Velox AGM (Annual General Meeting) is being held on Thursday the 31st of March at the club. All Executive positions are again available and include: President, Vice President, Director of Rugby, Director of Clubhouse, Director of Fields, Treasurer and Secretary. There are a number of this year's Executive running again but all interested parties are encouraged to attend the AGM and to start on their own campaign trail ASAP.

4. This year's Annual Awards Banquet is being held on Saturday the 31st of March at the Velox Clubhouse. Tickets will be available within the next week and will be $25 each...or....$50 for 2 (John Lyall did the deal) Dress will be semi formal with a catered meal and DJ for those interested in a quiet beverage and dancing. Chad has been asked to wear his underwear this year in respect for those without bifocals.

5. Thursday the 17th will be lost and found day. If people could look in the box by the kitchen there is some pretty funky stuff collected. It will be thrown out on the floor and anything left will go to Value Village.

6. Ginger left a black down vest at the club Saturday night, and now can't find it. Let him know if you have seen it. (it's probably in the back of an RV somewhere)

7. Lori, the bar manager, would like everyone to know that tokens are for highballs and draught beer only. Also, Interac at the bar is not a bank machine, so try to bring cash with you.

8. A fund raiser for the tide is coming up, April 11, tickets are $150.00 per or $200.00 a couple. They are expecting Velox to buy a table. $1,000.00. Talk to Lori if you are interested.