Game Report: July 21, 2007

Senior Men's First Team
Week 8 - Toronto Saracens RFC 3 - Aurora Barbarians RFC (ABRFC) 76

This was the type of game that no-one really wants or enjoys, and yet there are many good things to take away from the day. It was an encounter between the top and bottom teams in the Marshall Division, and the prospect of a lop-sided game was clear.

Perhaps the best part of the day was the fact that this was a well played game by the Barbs, and an incredibly clean and honest performance from the Saracens. This week 8 game comes at an important stage in the season, only six weeks to the anticipated National Invitational Club Championship, to be held at Fletcher’s Fields over Labour Day, 2007. The focus for the Aurora Barbarians RFC has been to manage the weekly commitment to the Marshall Division and at the same time develop the depth and continuity needed for this important tournament.

The Toronto Saracens RFC are a long established club in the ORU and have a proud and deep heritage. Since their last promotion to the Marshall, this club has had a difficult time consolidating their standings and have narrowly avoided relegation in two of the last three seasons, although showing some progress last season when they held Aurora Barbs to a four point victory in the September fixture, (ABRFC won 24 – 20), and finished in 6th place, with 4 wins. This 2007 season has been very difficult for the “Saras”, but they continue to put in the effort to stay in the Marshall. This game was a testament to their values and integrity – although outclassed in every dimension of the game, the Saracens never resorted to negative tactics or professional fouls. In the entire game there was not one late tackle, punch or any form of unacceptable performance from either team – it was a totally honest effort and must be recognized for this – thank you to the Saracens for playing rugby for what it should be, a clean contest and maximum effort.

For the Aurora Barbarians it was clearly a much improved display – in fact it was the type of game that the club needed to build on for the next three months through the balance of the Marshall, the NICC and into the McCormick Cup. There were a number of good performances as the Barbs went through several different game plays - Aurora scored 12 tries and converted 8. The team scored 76 points in 80 minutes and the only way to summarise this scoring is in the following table that shows the scorer and the time in the game, and the successful conversion.

Scoring summary:

Bryn Keys - 2 tries, 2 conversions – 14 points
Dave Neilsen - 2 tries, 2 conversions – 14 points
Jeremy Campbell - 2 tries – 10 points
Shaun Allen - 2 tries – 10 points
Dave Ashwood 4 conversions – 8 points
Rob Ashwood – 1 try – 5 points
Ivan Barron – 1 try – 5 points
James Hulbert – 1 try – 5 points
Damon McLaughlin – 1 try – 5 points

There were many good things to take from this performance – the play of Dave Ashwood at #10 was outstanding. His control of the game and his ball distribution showed real talent and class as he continues in his comeback. He set up a number of classic moves and was involved in building the momentum and sustaining it during the full 80 minutes. Rob Ashwood also had an impressive day, including one special moment when he touched down a perfect box kick and chase, competing against the entire back row!!

Jeremy Campbell had another excellent game at #15 and scored one exceptional try when he timed the run and angle to perfection as he split the Saras defense and went 30 meters for a score. Damon McLachan again looked at complete ease on the wing and scored a well taken try – this is the type of flexibility that the team will need for the next three months. Bryn Keys had another strong game and he runs with complete authority, balance and power. Dave Nielsen and Shaun Allen dominated in the loose ably supported by Nolan Ott who continues progress on his return from injury – he is close to the devastating pre-injury form of the first two weeks of the season and with hard work will soon be back at top form.

So the club has an embarrassment of place kicking talent!! The game identified two additional place kickers in Dave Nielsen and Bryn Keys, in addition to the two Dave’s, (A and P) – not a bad situation to be in. Ivan Barron scored another try in his great career with the club and played well. Special mention to James Hulbert for scoring his debut try for the first team, (I suspect the first of many over the next few years) –James came on and played on the wing showing the flexibility needed to challenge for a place on the first team squad. Other first team debuts included U-18 graduate Adam McCabe and current U-18 scrum half Daniel Santos inserted late in the game for Steve Bowie and Rob Ashwood respectively.

The Aurora pack was dominant, winning good, clean ball at all phases – the work in the loose was excellent, and the Barbs stole a huge amount of 50/50 ball. Simon McEachern had a great day, covering acres of park and hitting the rucks and linking back to the pack when required. The usual all out effort from Res, Rob Carter, Chown and Bowie showed the depth and strength of this pack.

The most impressive and important part of this game was the level of intensity – in game like this there is a danger that the team will play down and loose focus – with the exception of the 15 minutes before half time, the Barbs played a disciplined and aggressive game, at times frighteningly efficient. Coaches Drew McPherson and Bart Hennessey will have been well pleased with the response to a tough half time talk on focus and application – the scoring sequence for the second half shows the result.

For this writer, the most important part is that Aurora Barbs came out of the game with class and equal integrity. This was not an exercise in “running-up” the score and there was no attempt to humiliate or taunt the Saras – great teams play with class and humility, at the end of the day this is what is important, the ability to focus and play with flair and class, and go hard for the full 80 minutes.

Special mention and congratulations to debutant Breanne Freeman, who was making her Marshall Division debut as game referee. She had a great first game and allowed play to flow and used advantage for what it is – she was also very much a part of the success of the game, quietly controlling the game by letting the players get on with it.

There will be many hard and tough games to come, including a return game against the Saracens – knowing this club, they will approach the next game in four weeks with the same honesty of effort and spirit that they showed on Saturday, so the Barbs had better be ready and not take this new game for granted - and that would be the best complement that the club could pay to the Saracens.