Game Report: June 24, 2006

Men's First Team
The Aurora Barbarians took three solid wins from their hosts, the Toronto Saracens, at Fletcher's Fields on Saturday.

Aurora's First Team crushed the Saracens, 59 - 14 . The two sides played a see-saw battle for the first 15 minutes, but then the floodgates opened. The Barbs put across 6 tries, 5 of them converted to take a commanding 40 - 0 lead at the half. Aurora put on a clinic of big carries by the forwards and creative running attacks by the backs. The second half was a bit slower with numerous whistles. After the Saracens scored two tries, the Barbs reawakened and punched in 3 tries in the final 12 minutes of the game. Aurora's try-scorers were: Marco DiGirolamo (4), Simba Sithole (2),   Rob Ashwood, Shaun Allen, Ivan Barron and Patrick Gourlay. Dave Poettcker kicked 5 converts with Marco DiGirolamo and Damon MacLachlan both drop-kicking a convert each.

Men's Second Team
The Barbs' Second Team also played a dominant game, beating the Saracens 45 - 24 . Aurora opened the scoring with dazzling breaks by the fly-half Andrew Ziricino and the fullback, Kai Sorensen. To balance it off the forwards responded with some great multi-phase attacks finishing with tries by the 8-man, Paul Payne. The Saracens tried to respond but it was too little, too late. The halftime whistle found the Barbs up 33 - 14. The Barbs put across three more tries to the Saracens' two in the second half, but the game devolved into a chippy affair with multiple penalties and one red card. The final whistle came with some relief despite the strong showing by the Aurora side. The Barbs' try-scorers were: Kai Sorensen (2), Paul Payne (2), Andrew Ziricino (2),   Zach Pancer and Chris Fulton. Bryn Davies kicked 6 converts for the day.

Men's Third Team
Aurora's Third Team secured a welcome win, beating the Saracens 21 - 17 . The Barbs controlled the field in the first half putting across 2 converted tries to take a 14 - 0 lead. The Saracens scored early in the second half, but were answered almost right away by Aurora. Some late shenanigans, including a try scored by the Saracens when the ref was not looking made the score closer than it should have been. Nevertheless, the third team was relieved to post its second win of the season. Aurora's tries came from Ken MacDermid, Kevin Riley, and Scottish emigrant Alistair Piercy (welcome to Canada). Alistair also kicked the 3 converts to secure the win.