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Game Report: September 23, 2006
Senior Mens 1st Team The Presidents Trophy has found a new home in Aurora, hopefully for a few years; but let's enjoy the moment and get ready for the next phase of the ORU season, the drive for the McCormick Cup. This season has provided some great games that we will remember for some excellent, expansive and exciting rugby, including both games against Oakville Crusaders. This week 14 game against the Cru was an unpredictable game, if only for the interesting lineup and the closeness of the game. The Cru are the only team that Aurora Barbarians still have to beat in our three year history in the Marshall, but this too shall be corrected in time!! It is difficult to know how to approach a game when the league Championship has already been decided - there is a responsibility to the League and to the opponent, (in this case the Cru) to provide a reasonable game. The Cru, the 2005 Marshall Champions, had also already captured second place in the 2006 Marshall Championship, and so this fixture was, at best, an opportunity to play some entertaining rugby. Aurora Barbs used this week to rest a few of the walking wounded, players who have picked up nagging injuries over the season and need a break to allow for full recovery before the McCormick Cup campaign starts. This fixture also provided an opportunity to resurrect the careers of some tremendous Barb players including the redoubtable Rob Fütter and the Peter Pan of the 30+ set, Bart Hennessey; Rob and Bart provided a constant threat as they patrolled their wing positions, ever eager and hungry to impose their speed, skill and overall fitness on the game. Both of these venerable Barbs showed flashes of talent running interesting, innovative and excellent angles of attack. Given this background, yesterday's game proved to be a close contest, although, in fairness, neither club would claim that it represented the most outstanding display of the 2006 season - inevitably, given the context of this fixture, the game was a bit flat. This was not for lack of effort or intensity by the players - in fact there were a number of good performances and a lot of effort. In many respects, it almost seemed like an excellent pre-season fixture, or the lull before the Cup starts; but good value as entertainment. When Aurora first entered the league, the Cru became the model for our development - a community based club, with an excellent junior development program to build for the future. The Directors of the Crusader club went out of their way to help and provide advice to the young Aurora Club. Now, some eight years later, and after the successful merger, the similarities between the two clubs are still evident - both clubs place a premium on junior development and on growing depth through promoting players from within the club. The Cru has the advantage of their own clubhouse and fields and several years of development, but the fundamental dynamics of their club are similar to the Aurora Barbarians R.F.C. Back to the game - after a season of high scores and the all too frequent blow-outs, it is interesting to reflect that a low scoring game can provide excellent entertainment. Close, at half-time the score was 0 - 0! On reviewing the game notes, your correspondent, (journalist talk!), made notes on the ever changing field position and the excellent defence from both teams. This was another hard fought game with some good forward play, both packs relishing in the tight scrimmaging and some exciting loose play. Equally, both sets of backs came prepared to throw the ball around, but neither team was able to score before the half. The opening fifteen minutes of the second half provided some great, entertaining rugby, with the Barbs backs making deep moves into the Cru end - one of these resulted in a lineout deep in the Cru 22 - Aurora won the lineout and #8 Brock Miller crashed over for an excellent try - the conversion was unsuccessful. Brock's try was just reward for his hard work throughout this game. Many in the crowd were wondering if a 5 - 0 lead would be enough as time began to wind down, but Cru hit back with two good forward drives, both resulting in tries. The first try was converted by Cru #10 Spencer Fullerton and at 38 minutes the Cru scored their second try from a forward drive - this was not converted and the final score of 12 - 5 for the Cru. This has been a fun season to watch and record. Aurora Barbarians have stopped the league dominance of recent years by the Irish Canadian Rugby Club and the Oakville Crusaders. The Barbs have played with consistency and with flair. You have demonstrated that rugby can be expansive and exciting, that forwards and backs can combine to play a dynamic style of winning rugby. The defence has been excellent, disciplined and hard, supported by excellent Coaching from Drew and Bart. The overall improvement has been monumental - in the first two seasons in the Marshall the Barbs captured fourth place - in 2006 the team moved from fourth to first, with a winning margin of 4 points over the Cru. In contrast, Cru won the 2005 Marshall Championship by 2 points. There were clear indications in the second half of the 2005 season that Aurora Barbs could challenge for the Marshall Division Championship. The team has improved through hard work and minimal injuries. Over the last two seasons the team has shown not just improvement in skill and fitness, but a growth in confidence and maturity. This translates into improved decision making and better discipline, (not yet perfect but still an improvement. Time to put the Marshall to bed and focus on the Cup!! Senior Mens 2nd Team |
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