Game Report: Wed. July 6, 2005

Junior U19 Women
Our second game was a 150% improvement from last week's game. The girls were more confident and pushed harder than ever, even though they were facing a very experienced team, especially in the pack. They are beginning to work as one unit from each scrum to lineout to ruck or maul, without hesitation. Some girls to watch out for are Meaghan Puttock (OC) and Andie Watpool (8) for their great tackling skills. The team captain and fly-half, Chelsea Taylor-Payne, missed scoring a try, because she didn't realize she was over the line and passed it away. Oops! Hayley McClelland (SH) did score a try near the end of the game to make it a 31-5 final score.

Junior U18 Men
The Aurora Barbarians under 18 boys‚ team lost a squeaker to the Balmy Beach
Rugby Club from Toronto last night by three points, 8-5.

The Beach exerted early pressure that the Aurora team was able to withstand with some great defence but they were never able to take the game to their opponents. The Aurora starting line up underwent some last minute changes as a few players experienced transportation difficulties in getting to the game on time. This meant that it was difficult for the team to find the cohesiveness that was necessary to build a sustained offence. Aurora defended and tackled well but eventually the Beach crashed over for their try and a 5-0 halftime advantage.

Aurora stormed out of the halftime break and after good offensive action that resulted in a penalty against the Beach, center Karl McCartney scored a try to bring Aurora level.

The remaining ten minutes were full of pulsating action as the teams battled back and forth neither one gaining an advantage. A late penalty gave the Beach the edge they were looking for and their kicker calmly slotted the penalty and the vital three points. Time ran out with Aurora camped in their opponents half but still three points adrift.