Game Report: May 27, 2006

Senior Men's First Team
Aurora Barbarians RFC (ABRFC) 42 - Irish Canadians RC (ICRC) 19

This was the first game of the season for Aurora Barbarians. The pre-season schedule has been hampered by player unavailability, compounded by the fact that approximately 40% of our Marshall squad are students returning from college and University. In preparation for this fixture, Aurora Barbarians had enjoyed two weeks of excellent practice as the first team squad "re-assembled" and players from the National Under 21 program became available, (Nolan Ott and David Pottecker).

The game focused on the need for a club to develop depth of player resources as the pressures of representative rugby increase on elite club players. The Irish Canadian RC had returned from the inaugural National Club Championships after an outstanding performance as runner-up to James Bay. Aurora Barbarians RFC recognizes and respects the huge effort that ICRC had made in preparing and representing the Marshall Division, (along with Balmy Beach) in this competition.

Last Saturday, however, showed the basic problem associated with the depth of player resources. Aurora Barbs are close to fielding a top squad, (anticipating the return of Ollie Atkinson from NA4 competition). Our players were fresh, fit and raring to go. In contrast, ICRC had played a lot of rugby in the last month and showed the net effect of the Nationals and a grueling pre-season schedule. But such is the nature of league play in the Ontario Marshall Division - a club now requires depth to be successful.

The game itself was a very impressive performance by Aurora Barbarians RFC - all concerns from the web "gurus and experts" were answered - ABRFC fielded three complete teams and demonstrated the good effect of attendance at training and thoughtful game preparation by Head Coach Drew Macpherson. Aurora Barbs started off with an impressive display of ball retention and consistent pressure. Aurora Barbs won seven consecutive rucks and put ICRC under great defensive pressure. In fact, the Irish did not get out of their own end for over 12 minutes and played some resolute and desperate defence to keep the Barbs off the score board.

As so often happens with an imbalance in territory,   the Irish finally broke down field and scored their first Try on a break-away attack inside the Aurora half - 5-0 ICRC. Aurora responded by again attacking and an almost mirror event, Irish broke out of their half and scored a second try two minute later, the try was converted. For all of the possession and territory, Aurora Barbs found themselves down by 12 - 0 !!

Learning from our experiences from the two previous seasons in the Marshall, Aurora set about translating possession and territory into points. At the half hour, Marco "Deej" Di Girolamo showed his speed and strength on the wing and scored an excellent try, converted by debutant Dave Poettcker - Half time score - ABRFC 7 - ICRC 12.

The second half was a mirror of the first, with Aurora having long periods of territorial and ball possession and finally translating this into five additional tries, all converted by Dave Poettcker. At 43 minutes, Marco scored his second try from a beautifully executed incursion in the backs by full-back Damon McLachlan and a perfectly weighted grubber - with conversion ABRFC 14 - ICRC 12.

This lead was extended at the 50 minute mark when Robbie Carter took a quick tap penalty and went over for a try, converted by Poettcker - ABRFC 21 ICRC 12.

Aurora backs played an aggressive and fast game and showed tremendous speed on    offensive and defensive duty, personified by Alexander "Simba" Sithole - in the space of 30 seconds Simba made a tremendous open field tackle on an Irish big man on a break away, jumped to his feet, got back in position and intercepted an Irish pass and ran 50 meters for a score under the posts - converted - ABRFC 28 - ICRC 12.

On one of their rare incursions into the ABRFC end, the Irish put together a period of sustained pressure and scored a converted try - ABRFC 28 - ICRC 19.

The final 20 minutes of the game were played exclusively in the Irish end, as the speed of the Aurora team dominated the tiring Irish. This was where the lack of experience of the depleted Irish showed most obviously - the ability to raise their game to match the speed of Aurora was totally missing. The Aurora backs are exciting to watch and with further practice they will develop into an excellent unit. At 60 minutes fly-half Dave Poettcker scored his first try for the club and was successful with the conversion. Veteran Ivan Barron went over for an excellent try, again converted by Poettcker to round out the scoring - Aurora Barbarians RFC 42 ICRC 19.

Aurora Barbarians RFC take a great deal away from this game - the club has shown that the combination of a mobile and aggressive pack with excellent backs will prove an entertaining and successful team in the 2006 season. In the pack, Under 21 Canada player Nolan Ott was outstanding - he showed a high work rate around the park and an ability to win ball in the loose. Nolan was ably supported by Simon McEachern who dominated the lineout and Robbie Carter who got through his normal amount of work in the loose.

The backs were anchored by a new half back pairing of Robbie Ashwood and Dave Poettcker, (both National Under 21 capped players). Ashwood had a great game, demonstrating his recovery from injury last season, and linked well with Dave Poettcker. In his debut with Aurora Barbarians, current national Under 21 fly half Poettcker played with maturity and poise. He scored a try and converted all 6 tries scored on the day, but missed three penalties, (all from beyond the 22).Veterans Ivan Barron and Marco "Deej" Di Girolamo were outstanding and showed the true meaning of the phrase "club man" - both Marco and Ivan started their 12th season with the club, and continue to make an outstanding contribution at all levels of Aurora Barbarians. We should also recognize other veteran club men making a commitment to play another season for the club, Leighton Chong, Mark "Franklin" Franklin, Dave Christie and Patrick Gourlay- thanks for your commitment to the club.

This veteran core is exciting when linked to the emerging young talent developing for the future, including Ollie Atkinson, Shaun Allen, Robbie Carter, Damon McLachlan, Robbie Carter, Simon McEachern, Steve Shortly, Nolan Ott, Simba Sithole, Andrew Ziricino, Robbie Ashwood and Dave Poettcker, (all under 25). This season we will miss Dean van Camp, (knee injury) and Dave Nielsen, (playing in New Zealand) from this core of young players.

All in all, a positive and useful start to our third season in the Marshall Division. Aurora Barbarians will play an exciting and attractive brand of rugby in 2006, with improved decision making and discipline. The Irish are a tremendous club with rich tradition and a depth of talent and they will also re-build quickly as they recover from the pressures of their early season - we can look forward to more great games in the future and a high degree of respect between the clubs.

Game results for all Senior teams this weekend:
Men's 1 - Barbs 42 vs Irish 19
Men's 2 - Barbs 15 vs Irish 0
Men's 3 - Barbs 7 vs Irish 17
Womens 1 - Barbs 0 vs Scottish 67
Womens 2 - Barbs 12 vs Scottish 19