Game Report: August 25, 2007

Senior Men's First Team
Week 11: Aurora Barbarians RFC (ABRFC) 52 - Toronto Saracens RFC 12

In this week 11 fixture the Aurora Barbarians completed the season double over the Toronto Saracens RFC, and recorded their 10th consecutive win and 9th bonus point, to maintain their unbeaten record in the 2007 Marshall League season. Of note, the Barbs have recorded 49 points in the Premier Division out of a potential maximum of 50 points, (10 wins worth four points per win and nine bonus points for scoring four or more tries in a game), or a success rate of 98%!! The team dropped the single bonus point in their week 3, June 9, 2007 against the Brampton Beavers RFC, (our next opponents in the make-up League game on Tuesday, August 28 – more on this fixture later).

For those who like game statistics, consider that the Aurora Barbs have scored 57 tries in the first 10 games in the Marshall Premier, and have converted 34, a success rate for conversions of 65%. In addition, the Barbs have scored one Drop goal, (Dave P, as part of his “cycle” against the Irish Canadian RC), and have kicked only 3 penalty goals in the first 10 games of the season, (the result of running many penalties or electing to find touch to provide a platform for attack). The team has scored a total of 363 points for, (a game average of 36.3) while giving up only 102 points, (or 10.02 points a game), a game differential of 26.28 points per game!! Not bad overall performance.

Consider that the Barbs have played the Toronto Saracens RFC, (currently in 8th place) and the Toronto Nomads RFC, (7th place) twice per team in the 2007 season, and have won all 12 games, outscoring these clubs by 591 points for and 111 points against, for a differential of 480 points or an average of 40 points per game.

This information is presented to illustrate the problems that result from the huge disparity of skills between the top and bottom of the Marshall Division. The unfortunate reality is that this inevitable lack of competition poses significant problems for the Barb players and coaches – how do you motivate for maximum performance, when the reasonable probability in these fixtures is for a “comfortable” win?

Successful League play is about maintaining maximum performance over a 14 week schedule, and it is very difficult to motivate for many of these fixtures. Top level performance at any level of competitive rugby needs that elusive combination:

In many of these fixtures, where there is such a significant disparity of skills between the clubs, that it is a huge challenge for players to self-motivate or “get up for the game”!

And this was the major issue in the week 11 fixture for the 1st team against the Toronto Saracens. Somewhat predictably, given that the Barbs 1st team had beaten the Toronto Saracens 76 – 3 five weeks ago, (July 21, 2007), the level of intensity in Saturday’s game was less than optimal. The Barbs had made six changes resulting from player unavailability, and the fixture provided an ideal opportunity to give games for squad members, and for players returning for the fall, or making their 2007 Marshall debut.

At times, the Aurora Barbarians played some good rugby, but in general this game was “formless”, with no real cohesion or flow and very limited passion and intensity. It almost seemed that the team could score at will, (not Will Sorensen!!), and generally play their normal expansive game. The Barbs scored 8 tries and the following table provides the sequence of scoring.

There were some good performances, most notably from the venerable Brian D’Andrade who started at #10, his first game for the 1st XV in 2007. Many will remember Brian from his exceptional early career with the Barbs, and he “rolled back the years” with a classic try after 3 minutes, a beautiful out-side break and a scoring 20 meter run and then he stepped up to slot the conversion, Barbs 7 – 0 after three minutes.

For this correspondent, there are a number of important or “special” moments during the season, in this instance, a respected veteran stepping into the first team to help out and delivering the goods. After this opening score the points mounted with regularity. The Saracens played with pride and made a reasonable effort to compete but they were out-performed in every aspect of the game. Jeremy Campbell scored 1 try and Bryn Keys added two tries, guaranteeing Aurora their bonus point after 26 minutes of the first half. Brian kicked his second conversion and Andrew Ziricino added a conversion and the Saracens scored a try, and a successful conversion, for a half-time score of Aurora Barbarians RFC 26 Toronto Saracens RFC 7.

There was a certain symmetry about this game, the Barbs scored an additional 26 points in the second half with further tries from Bryn Keys, (completing his “hat-trick” of tries), Marco Di Girolamo, Nolan Ott and Brock Millar, (making his first start of the fall season). Bryn took over kicking responsibility and landed three second half conversions. At 60 minutes the Saracens scored a well taken try – Steve Shortly, making his 2007 debut for the Barbs after returning from his visit to Australia, chased the Saracens full back for 45 meters and closed the gap but could not get close enough to stop this score, an impressive turn of speed by Steve. Generally, Steve played well showing that the game time in Australia has maintained his form. Steve is attending teacher’s college at Queen’s this fall and will split time between the university team and club as available. Both Steve and Brock can contribute hugely in key games in the balance of the Marshall League and in the McCormick Cup, the quest for the elusive and highly valued “double” of League and Cup.

Although this was a “disjointed” game, a number of players had good individual games. Nolan Ott got through a huge amount of work and had a number of crushing tackles and Dave Nielsen had another outstanding game in the loose. Kai Sorensen had a good game at #9, linking well and generally controlling the game. The front row were dominant, (Rez, Leighton and Captain Carter), and Simon McEachern, Will Sorensen and Steve Bowie got through their normal level of effort and hard work.

The speed of the Aurora backs was truly impressive; it seems that the Barbs backs get “faster” every week!! Jeremy Campbell scored the second try and Marco added the sixth and Damon McLachan had an impressive game with several of his amazing runs, combining side-steps, swerves and hard running, delightful and exciting to watch, and hell to defend. Brian and Cino played well and Steve Shortly impressed on his return.

Labour Day is here, and that means return to University for a number of players. Our visitors from B.C., Dave P. and Bryn Keys will return to their studies in B.C. – thank you for the huge efforts and contribution that you have made to the club, Dave in his second season with the club and Bryn in his “rookie” season. Both are Canada Under 21 internationals and will continue to excite spectators and players with their exciting play in years to come – and hopefully, over the years, they will return to Aurora to play more games for the club. In addition, Will Sorensen, (Queen’s) and Andrew Ziricino, (Windsor) are back to University – their progress over the season has been impressive and they also have an excellent future with the club. Will has impressed by his athleticism, by his unbridled enthusiasm and by his uncompromising effort, and Andrew “Cino”, although hampered by a groin injury for several weeks over the summer, continues to fulfill his early promise from the Junior program, and has established his position on the 1st team squad as an exciting and elusive runner, with speed to spare!

The 2007 Marshall Premier season is moving toward conclusion, and there are tough games ahead, starting with the Brampton Beavers RFC on Tuesday August 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the MGS ground in Brampton. The Barbs are in a position to consolidate their hold on the Marshall as they move towards clinching the repeat title. Following the Labour day weekend break, the intensity picks-up with three really tough fixtures against Balmy Beach RFC, Stoney Creek RFC and the season finale against Crusaders RC. None of these four remaining games are “easy or gimme games”, and the Barbs will need the passion and intensity that was missing from the games against the Saracens and Nomads – and this writer believes that the Barbs are hungry and want these games and the titles that go with hard work!! Time will tell, but look for improvement, as the team re-discovers the real intensity and passion that they will need over the next two months. Exciting prospects as the Marshall concludes and the team address the unfinished business in the McCormick cup! The players will definitely “be up” for these key games, the kind of rugby challenge that brings out the best in your Aurora Barbs.

Hopefully, see you at Brampton, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, if not game report later in the week.