Senior: Practice Venue Change for Tuesday
June 29, 2009

The senior men and Under 20s will train at Dr. G.W. Williams H.S. in Aurora on Tuesday June 30 - back to Fletcher's on Thursday July 2.

This is to accommodate the U-18s playing at Fletcher's on Tuesday and to provide some coaching help for the U-16s at Williams on Tuesday - Especially front row - I will bring the scrum machine!

We have three games on July 4 at Brampton - so please keep me advised on your availability.

U-20s play next on July 6 at Stratford vs. South West Wolf Pack in a cross over match with a West division team
- car pooling will be arranged for the Monday night.

Senior: Black Saturday for Sr Men
June 28, 2009

The Senior Men hosted Soney Creek yesterday coming away with three wins. Again the First side kept the fans on their feet as they scored a last minute try to win after minutes earlier making a penalty kick to tie. The second won handily and our combined U20/Thirds side contested well to come away with the win.

Scores from the weekend:

• Stoney Creek Men I vs Barbs: 15-22  
• Stoney Creek Men II vs Barbs: 0-46  
• Stoney Creek Men III vs Barbs: 10-22  
• Barbs Women II vs Saracens: 17-29  

U16: June 26 & 27, 2009
June 28, 2009

The Aurora Barbarian U16s had a busy weekend playing an exhibition match Friday night against an English touring side and then a league Saturday morning against Markham RFC.

Aurora hosted Kenilworth School Friday evening at Fletcher's Fields. Kenilworth is an impressive side that is one of top-ranked junior teams in England . They amply demonstrated their handling skills and running prowess, creating numerous overlaps and crossing patterns against the Barbs. If Aurora did not contain the ball immediately out of the scrum or lineout, they were forced to scramble to run down the breakaways. The skilled and well-rehearsed English tourists moved the ball virtually at will. Not everything went their way though. Aurora demonstrated on several occasions that they could move the ball sharply down the field. They had several opportunities for tries snuffed out by knock-ons or desperation defense from Kenilworth . The final score (60-0) was less important than the chance for the Barbs to test themselves against a first-class U.K. team and to discover the international camaraderie of the game. Aurora entertained their guests in the clubhouse with a lasagne dinner and then to an impromptu run-around at dusk on the field as the players and parents introduced the English boys to football. Aurora will be hosting a Welsh team, Monmouth School, July 14-16 and then Wensleydale School from England , July 27.

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The league game against Markham on Saturday morning at Fletcher's did not go to plan. The first half was excellent with the Barbs attacking Markham from all parts of the field. Aurora opened the scoring early when 8-man Matt Acchione punched the first try across the line. The game see-sawed back and forth and Markham eventually scored an answering try. The Barbs reorganized and pressed hard, especially in the forwards. They were rewarded with an excellent try by prop, Kolby Boissineau . Markham evened up the game just before halftime, but Aurora left the field pleased with their efforts. Markham shuffled their line-up and their game plan and caught Aurora flat-footed. They scored several times with dramatic open-field runs which the Barbs just could not contain. The hooker, John McNally scored a consolation try, but the game was done. The final score was 39-15.

Man of the Match: Matt Acchione

Hearty Hurrahs go to: Kolby Boissineau , Peter Busciglio, Mike Griffiths and Michael Chiaravalloti (Chevy)

The team will go back to the drawing board over the next two weeks. July 4 is an off-day. It next faces the Toronto Saracens at Fletcher’s Fields July 11. Kick-off is at 10:30 a.m.