Game Report: June 2, 2007

Senior Men's First Team
Marshall Division Week2 - Aurora Barbarians RFC 32 - Balmy Beach RFC 8

Week 2 at the Beach was anything but a pleasant breeze and an easy afternoon by the lake...stiflingly hot, and a tough, aggressive Beach team. The Beach coming off an opening week 1 victory against the Oakville Crusaders RFC, and the Aurora Barbs were putting their opening week win against the ICRC on the line. So the prospect was for another epic between two teams - one is reminded of that amazing McCormick Cup semi-final last October between the Barbs and the Beach, possibly the best game of the 2006 season. This week 2 Marshall Division game was a high quality fixture with little "early season" jitters or mistakes. Under the extreme heat conditions the pace of the game was outstanding and the commitment by the players from both teams was excellent. For the entire 80 minutes players showed "mid-season" conditioning and surprised many by the intensity of this early season confrontation. It was also very clear that the Beach were "up" for this game - any suggestion that they rest through the first half of the season and concentrate on the McCormick Cup was quickly laid to rest.

The Beach kicked-off, Aurora committed a transgression, penalty in front of the posts, successful - and so Beach first blood at 1 minute, 3 - 0. This early setback appeared to unsettle the Barbs and their play in the opening few minutes was disjointed and all over the place! Maybe the heat or adjusting to the changes in the line-up, but gradually the team settled down with the back row dominating the Beach possession and forcing a penalty at the Beach 22 for not releasing. Unfortunately the penalty attempt was wide. And then at the 12 minute mark, vintage Aurora, a flowing move of 40 plus meters with the ball going through six pairs of hands - Simba started the move, linking to Shaun Allen to Ollie Atkinson to Robbie Carter to a bursting Simon McEachren who took the ball 15 meters at speed and the ever hard working Leighton Chong crashing over for a well earned try - the conversion attempt was wide - Aurora 5 Beach 3. The Barbs were now in full flight with Nolan Ott having a career game - in the first 20 minutes of this game Nolan was unbelievable - I have watched Nolan play for six seasons at High School, University, Provincial Junior and at Canada U 21 levels, but I have never seen the sheer domination of open field running that he showed in the opening quarter. After a typical break started by Dave Poettcker and linking to Nolan, play moved down to the Beach "hot zone" and the Beach were penalised - Captain Carter, exercising game decision making beyond his years, immediately tapped to himself and dived over for a well taken try - the follow-up conversion was unsuccessful, after 15 minutes Aurora Barbarians 10 - Balmy Beach 3.

There is a tragic element or irony in this game - Nolan's play continued to lift the Barbs team and they dominated open play for the next 10 minutes, but at the 32 minute mark Nolan went down with a badly twisted ankle, made a few choice comments to the assembled throng, (actually a one word expletive!) and had to leave the field. This could have been a turning point to the game, but the Barbs continued to raise the pace of the game and quickly re-established their drive. At 34 minutes full-back Damon McLachlan made an exciting break of 50 meters to find young Will Sorensen at his elbow as the Beach full back, (the excellent Jesse Hankenhaff) closed - Damon off-loaded to Will who impressed all with an elegant and tasteful dive into the end zone, a dive worth between 8.5 and 9 on the diving points table. This try showed great effort on a hot afternoon and was rewarded with a successful conversion - Aurora Barbs 17 Balmy Beach 3, and there was no more scoring before the half time whistle bought water and a chance to catch our breath.

The second half could have been a let-down in the standard of play as the heat began to take a toll, but if anything the intensity of the game increased as the Beach stepped up their game. Aurora went to the bench bringing in rookie Matt Chown and veteran Steve Bowie, both of whom had a strong second half, demonstrating again the depth of this Aurora Barbs 2007 squad. Aurora answered the early Beach pace and at 46 minutes they won a line out just inside the Beach half, with the ball moving quickly through a missed pass from out-half Dave P. to out-side center Marco Di Girolamo who made 15 meters before putting a delicate chip through for the streaking Simba Sithole to gather and cross in the corner for another exciting try - a difficult conversion was just short - Aurora 22 Beach 3, fourth try and bonus point secure.

But the Balmy Beach have never been about quitting and this try inspired their best play of the day - for a period of 10 minutes they threw everything into attack, introducing Simon Rogers on the wing, a welcome sight as he is one of the most exciting backs in the Marshall and far too young to retire from the game. A mistake by the Barbs backs gave the Beach a huge overlap with only an isolated Shaun Allen facing four beach attackers, and the home team scored their first try of the game, but missed the extra points - Aurora 22 Beach 8.

The pace of the game continued at an almost unbelievable level under the extreme heat - at 57 minutes Aurora full-back Damon received a yellow card for a high tackle but within five minutes the beach also received an off-setting Yellow for a dangerous dump-tackle. This might suggest that the game was degenerating, but referee Gareth Callaway, who had a good game, quickly got the focus back on good, clean rugby and kept the game moving. Aurora moved the ball to Simba who made a break of 25 meters and crossed in the corner for his second try of the game, (and his fourth in two league games this season) - again a difficult conversion attempt fell short, Barbs 27 Beach 8.

As the game entered the final ten minutes the Beach threw everything into attack, including cross field spiral football passes and running from behind their own goal line, exciting to watch and adventurous rugby - their late rally drove down to the Barbs 22, when they elected to chip ahead, for full-back Damon McLachlan to make an excellent catch-on-the-run and open the running play by linking to Simba who immediately reversed the running play inside to the accelerating Ivan Barron who took off on a lung-searing 60 meter run, well supported by Shaun Allen - Ivan had the legs to out run the Beach defence and went under the posts for an outstanding try after 78 minutes of rugby is the heat, reinforcing what a fit and dedicated player Ivan has become in this, his 13th year of service to the club. The conversion was successful for the final score, Aurora Barbs 32 Balmy Beach 8.

This was an outstanding game of rugby - it was not as the score might suggest, a blow-out - the Balmy Beach club will always prove tough and difficult opposition. As the Barbs have learnt over the last three seasons, there is never an easy game against the Beach. For critics of the Marshall, this game was of the highest quality, and either of these teams would compete at the highest league level in Canada. Our thanks to the Beach for a great early season fixture, one thing is for sure, the return fixture on September 8th will be another excellent game. A special thanks to the Beach for the traditional cool "brewskies" to rehydrate, on the beautiful terrace down by the lake - as well as excellent rugby players the Beach team are outstanding hosts and good friends!!

The 2007 version of the Aurora Barbs is an impressive team, with speed, fitness and depth. After two weeks of league play, solid wins over the ICRC and the Beach show just how far the Barbs have come as a team. For many during the winter, conversation turned to the question of whether the Barbs would/could repeat as Marshall Division champions, and although it is so early in the season the early form gives hope for a good season. As noted many times before, the Marshall is a long slug, a four month marathon - the Barbs appear to have depth and youth on their side, (on last Saturday 12 of the starting 15 were aged 25 or less). An initial impression is that as they enter their fourth season in the Marshall, Aurora have the forward strength to compete with any team, and an exciting and fast set of backs. The first two seasons in the Marshall were about learning and developing the experience to compete on a week by week basis, with the second half of 2005 showing the potential of the team. 2006 showed that the club has the ability to play top quality rugby over an entire league season - 2007 is rich with promise, and the delightful prospect of entertaining rugby played at an expansive and fast pace. It promises to be an exciting season for the Aurora Barbs.

For the record man of the Match - Nolan Ott for 20 minutes of inspired play, honourable mention to Simba and Damon, and thanks to all for an outstanding effort on a brutally hot day.