by John Langley

March 31, 2018 Match Report

Today both teams were missing some players Caps were without their normal number 10 Steven Cassells, hooker or flanker Jason de Freitas and prop Jesse Ryan. James Bay was missing their Canada players that Rugby Canada has decided to make unavailable for some reason known only to themselves. Players need to play rugby in order to be ready for action! Bring back the Pacific Pride program and cut the nonsense Rugby Canada!

Always beware of a wounded Bear! Last week the James Bay Bears alias the Blue Crush were crushed by the Ravens. Caps came out and perhaps thought this would be a cakewalk. If this was the attitude it wasn’t a great one. James Bay is a proud club and dug deep to show that they were better than that. Unfortunately they only brought one side and have to default the Reserve game. I didn’t see much of the first half due to a 90th Birthday of a dear former neighbour and friend. I raced to Klahanie from Coquitlam and was shocked to see the score. James Bay had a healthy lead scored again, converted then added a penalty kick from center by Elliot Mitrou. It was 44-15.

The Capilano faithful were in shock, the stands were full and even supporters of Burnaby, Ravens and other clubs showed up to what was the only show in town. Capilano had a long discussion at the half and came out swinging. They were in a big hole and they were down a player as Sam Franklin was yellow carded for a high tackle and a tussle in the in goal following the Bays try. From what I heard from my team supporters James Bay was good value for the lead and had run through the Capilano back line several times and Caps seemed to have forgotten how to tackle. The Caps fans I spoke to were not impressed with the effort or lack thereof by the home team.

Caps were now the wounded Bears and they came out swinging. If they were hibernating in the first half they had now been awakened. They were no doubt embarrassed by their first half performance. Caps began to answer back. Jon Webster scored and it was converted by Chris Robinson. Caps 22 JB 43. Then Jordan Reid Harvey stole a Bays ball and touched down. Caps 27-43. Caps attack again and come close to scoring but they are held up. Jon Webster got the ball and scored. The convert missed but it is now 32- 43 and Caps have been showing signs of life. James Bay was now on the back foot and having to defend desperately to keep their lead. At one point I counted 4 penalties against the Bays and the Cap supporters were yelling for a penalty try. Warnings were issued but the penalty try didn’t come. I was informed after the game that Bays did receive a yellow card but if they did, I didn’t see it. Caps did a lot of good mauling and kept the ball in the Bays end. Jordan Reid Harvey scored again and it was now 37-43. The conversion was good and it was 39 for Caps 43 for James Bay.

Elliot Mitrou kicked an excellent 45 meter penalty kick to give his side a seven point lead with little time left. Caps managed to get the ball deep into the Bays end but Bays were awarded a scrum and the game ended. Caps had managed to salvage two bonus points but they let a game that probably should have been theirs get away.

James Bay had come out to prove themselves and certainly did especially in the first half. Caps had played one good half of rugby but it wasn’t quite enough. They have lost several games this season that they should have won. At times they have looked good but consistency remains to be an issue with this team.

Caps have an important game in Victoria against U-Vic as the teams switched venues in the first half in a game that Caps won at home. It will not be an easy task in Victoria and it will require a huge effort to win away over a surging Viking side. Caps then finish the regular season away against Burnaby Lake. It should be an interesting finish to this long season.

Thanks to the referee as this was not an easy game to adjudicate. The teams then went into the clubhouse for the after game festivities and Man of the match selections. Thanks again to Jim Leith for feeding all of the players. Thanks to Gord Currie for doing the gate and Alan Banwell for running the scoreboard.

In other action today Capilano U-23 lost to Richmond by a score of 12-38. Congratulations to Richmond.

The 3B’s again won handily over Richmond by a score of 48-0 and next week play the Meralomas at Klahanie. Congratulations to the 3B’s

The Premier Reserve Team won by default and thereby get a bonus point victory.