Capilano 2 for 4 – Saturday 25th November

Caps hosted Westshore for 3 games and Squamish in a 3rd Division rematch of last season’s championship game.

Click here to view photos from the Premier Women vs Westshore
Click here to view photos from the Premier Men vs Westshore
Click here to view NS News photos from the Premier Men vs Westshore

Thanks to Chris Weyell and Paul McGrath at the NS News for the game shots from last weekend!

Capilano 3B’s defeated Squamish 25-19

Squamish lead the 3rd Division league and are a strong side, Caps have dropped a couple of games and the player turnout has not been quite as good as last season. This Caps team was quite a bit younger than last year. Kevin Hatch the hard running center had to leave early due to a hamstring injury. Caps were really up for this game. The score was 5 each when I arrived. Squamish took a yellow card for too many infractions that prevented Capilano from scoring. The Squamish player didn’t know what he had done wrong but it was a team card and he was picked out by the referee to serve it. While he was sitting Caps subbed in Matt Plant and Caps scored on a pushover try. Bruce Bowman converted and it was 12-5 Caps. The Squamish fullback is an excellent player that could easily start in the Premier League. He kept his team in the game with his running ability and kicking skills. The score remained 12-5 at half time. Caps opened the second half with some pressure and looked like scoring but knocked the ball on. Craig McLaren made a strong run off a line out then passed the ball, Squamish tackled the ball carrier but Caps recycled the ball and scored in the corner. It wasn’t converted but Caps had a 17-5 lead. The Squamish fullback made an excellent run from deep inside of the Squamish end and went all the way to put his side back in it. The conversion was good and it was now 17-12 for Capilano. Squamish continued to press and Caps took a penalty. Squamish went for a deep line out but when they swung the ball Bruce Bowman intercepted and made a deep kick taking Caps out of danger. Craig McLaren stole the Squamish line out. Caps were awarded a penalty kick in front of the posts but missed it. Fortunately one of their players charged the kick so Caps were awarded another chance that was successful. This kick was important as it made it a two score lead. Squamish picked up their game but Caps made some big hits to keep them from scoring. Brad Wightman made a hard hit on the Squamish scrum half to stop an attacking movement. Squamish kept pressing though and almost scored but the ball was dropped going over the line. A Squamish pass was intercepted and Caps kicked out of danger once again. Caps started mauling the ball and looked good doing so but then took a penalty. The Squamish fullback got the ball and began another powerful run. This time he was tackled. Someone kicked the ball ahead but it was played by a Squamish player in an offside position. Caps kept with their forward power game and Craig McLaren passed to Bundy for a score in the corner. The score was 25-12 and the score looked secure. Squamish though were not finished and they scored an excellent try the ball was swung wide left all the way to the wing then back in to number 15 who scored under the post. The conversion made it 25-19. Squamish was looking good and might have stolen it but Cap stole a maul ball and that stopped Squamish. The Caps kicked the ball to touch to end this exciting contest. This was a big win for the Capilano killer B’s and was excellent 3rd Division rugby. Congratulations to both sides for an excellent match. Thanks to the referee.

Capilano Premier Women host Westshore: Westshore win 38-12

Westshore showed why they are undefeated and 8-0. Caps sit in second place but have a lot of work to do to compete against this power house side. Caps are missing some key players due to the Rugby League World Cup and these players might have made it closer but it was all Westshore today. Westshore scored early with a try by their talented scrum half and it was converted by number 13. A try by number 12 came next. Then another try by number 12 made it 19 and the convert 21 – 0. Soon after that, they scored again to make it 28 – 0 with the conversion. A yellow card in the second half gave Caps a chance to score and they did with some good mauling and hard work by the pack. Nevene Hammoud finished it off with the Caps first score and this seemed to lift the spirits of the Caps Women. The convert was missed. Westshore struck again though with a nice chip and chase to stretch the lead to 33-5 for the BC Champs. Caps did fight back and scored. I didn’t catch who touched down. It was now 12-33. Westshore were not finished and scored again to make it 38-12. The convert missed. Caps seemed a bit over awed at the outset but played better in the second half.

Players improve by playing against stiff competition so hopefully this game will help the Caps go to the next level. Thanks to the referee for his skillful handling of the game.

The Premier Men Reserve game: This game was won by Westshore 33-0.

Westshore dominated this game. I could only watch it from afar as it was on at the same time as the Premier Women. The Capilano Reserves are struggling and Westshore can take heart with this win as they are obviously deeper than the Capilano Club at this point. Caps are young and getting experience the hard way. Westshore were swinging the ball well and were good value for this win. Congratulations to West Shore and thanks to the referee for his adjudication.

West Shore Premier men at Klahanie, Capilano win 26-6

It has been a long time since the Velox Valhalians now Westshore played on the Bob Spray Field at Klahanie. In a recent Premier encounter they won in the fourth overtime in a titanic playoff battle. Today’s contest wasn’t as physical as that one but had its share of hard tackles. Unfortunately Westshore lost one of their best players in the first few minutes of the game. #8 Tua VA’a went into a maul and it collapsed. He didn’t get up and had to have his shoulder/elbow heavily strapped before he could be moved off the field. This was a tough start for him and his team and we wish him a speedy recovery. It was good to see the physio staffs from both teams helping him. A show of good sportsmanship and rugby good will! Westshore fielded a good team today as did Capilano. Caps came out fast and it looked like they would take an early lead but Johnny Franklin, who made an exciting run, couldn’t get the ball down over the try line. Despite this faux pass Johnny had a very good game. Another chance went begging as Caps had a two on one break with only the fullback to beat. The fullback was drawn but the pass was hard and a bit low and was knocked on. It was a defending scrum instead of a try for Capilano. Westshore had what looked like a sure try also but their ball carrier lost the ball crossing the line and Caps grounded it. Sitiveni Nacoko is a winger with excellent speed and acceleration. He looked dangerous all game but Westshore wasn’t able to get enough ball to him either through the hands or cross kicks. Both teams took turns stealing balls from each other stopping potential scores. Jason de Freitas made some good runs and is a very mobile and talented hooker. Caps first try came on a blocked kick that was followed and grounded by Jordan Reid-Harvey. The conversion sailed wide and it was 5-0 Caps. Steven Cassells had a strong game running and directing the back line but it was not his day for kicking at goal. He was not able to convert the four tries, some of which were difficult, but did add two penalty kicks late in the game. Johnny Franklin had some electrifying runs and his offloads are nice to watch. Caps scored next off a rolling maul, a tactic that has paid dividends for Caps this season. Glen McKinnon downed the ball to make it 10-0. Caps Jonathan Webster was called for a clothes line tackle on a Westshore back and was given a yellow card. Westshore kicked the penalty kick and it was now 10-3 in favour of Capilano. That was the half time score. Caps I thought should have been further ahead and one always worries about letting teams stay within reach. Glen McKinnon took the opening kickoff and ran straight at Westshore. Caps recycled the ball and swung it out but a mistake and then a penalty stopped them. Caps won the ball back and cleared it deep. It was a Westshore throw but Caps stole the lineout. Caps were mauling and several forwards were out wide. Chris Robinson called them in and the maul strength was increased. The ball was mauled then swung wide left and Caps scored in the left corner. Glen McKinnon scored and it was a much needed try! This was probably the turning point as Caps stretched the lead to 15-3. After some back and forth stuff Caps scored again, this time Jordan Reid-Harvey again. The convert was missed but it was now 20-3 and Caps seemed to be in control. The remaining scoring was a Westshore penalty kick and two penalty kicks by Caps Steve Cassells. The final score was 26-6 for Capilano. This is the 3rd win in a row for Caps after a fast start and a bit of a sag after that before finding the winning combination again. Credit to the coaching staff led by Garth Prouse who have kept with the program. Credit also to the players who have also hung in and improved each week. The unforced errors need to be reduced but you can’t find fault in the effort! Following the game the teams headed inside the Capilano clubhouse for the men of the match drink off. Thanks again to Chef Jim Leith for his efforts that are always appreciated by the players. The refereeing today was excellent, a very professional job! Thanks also to the Caps volunteers, the field set up and the gate guys that do an incredible job for the club. Next week it is off to see the Meralomas a long time rival. Hope to see you at Connaught Park next Saturday.

John Langley