Game Report: October 13, 2007

McCormick Cup Quarter Final

Senior Men's First Team
Aurora Barbarians RFC (ABRFC) 36 - Brantford Harlequins RFC 12

The Aurora Barbarians RFC won their quarter final game against Brantford Harlequins RFC in the annual fall classic of Ontario Rugby, the McCormick Cup. This was an excellent game of "e;cup rugby"e;, and the Barbs played some of their best rugby of the 2007 season. The forwards were outstanding and the backs played well in the difficult conditions, light and persistent rain that made handling difficult. The field was in excellent condition, firm and grass covered and the temperature at game time was a comfortable 10 degrees Celsius, with a light wind across the field.

"Cup rugby" is very different from the 14 week league "grind", and demands a level of intensity that is so often missing in Marshall League games against some of the lower ranked teams. On Saturday the Barbs faced the Brantford Harlequins RFC, the 2007 Keenan Division Champions - Brantford Harlequins are an excellent team and welcomed back Canadian International #8 Aaron Carpenter, who had only returned last Monday from the Rugby World Cup in France. In addition, they have six players who represented the Niagara Thunder in the 2007 RCSL final in August, and excellent veteran leadership from Dave Knowles and ex-Canadian International Barclay Luke. All round the prospect for an excellent Cup quarter final game, as the Quins were seeking to prove that they were capable of causing a surprise cup upset by beating the 2007 Marshall Champions.

The Barbs team has had a three week lay off resulting from a default by the Ottawa Indians in the first round of the McCormick Cup and the Thanksgiving weekend, and the return of players rested from the week 14 game against Crusaders RC and from injury. The team was strengthened by the welcome return of Ivan Barron who has recovered well from his two month recuperation from his knee injury.

It was therefore anticipated that the Barbs would take a few minutes to return to their playing rhythm, but they came flying out of the blocks and opened the game with 20 minutes of sustained pressure inside the Brantford end of the field, and at 17 minutes got on the score board with a well executed try by Full Back Damon McLachlan. The scoring movement started with a crisp pass from #10 Dave Ashwood to Jeremy Campbell who made a classic 25 meter break and linked with Damon who stepped inside the cover defense to touch down. Dave Ashwood was unsuccessful with the conversion – ABRFC 5 Brantford RFC 0.

The Harlequins played solid defensive rugby in the first half and held the Aurora team to a lead of 5 points to 0 at the half. In summary, the quality of play in the first half was outstanding with the Barbs playing some solid rugby, winning good ball in the loose and dominating in the set pieces. The Aurora forwards started the difficult task of wearing down the Brantford pack, and the back row had an excellent 40 minutes with Dave Nielsen making a number of classic breaks with good support from Nolan Ott and Shaun Allen.

The Aurora Barbarians played some outstanding rugby in the second half and gradually stamped their fitness and speed on a tiring Brantford squad. The set pieces took on a whole new dimension of excellence with the front five dominating in the set scrums and driving the Brantford pack off their own ball – this was important as it completely nullified the potential for Carpenter to make his #8 pick-ups – on the few occasion that he was able to break from the back of the scrum he met solid tackling from his old team mates from McMaster and Rugby Ontario Junior programs, Rob Ashwood, Shaun Allen and Nolan Ott. The front row of Leighton Chong, Dan Resnick and Rob Carter built a huge advantage in the set scrums and second rows Brock Millar and Steve Bowie got through massive amounts of work in the "powerhouse" as they drove Brantford off their own "put-in". This consistent pressure resulted in the Brantford forwards loosing strength and drive from the 60 minutes mark on – almost complete dominance in both the set pieces and the loose in the critical final quarter of the game. In cup rugby many games are won in the last 20 minutes as good teams wear down their opposition.

At 48 minutes Aurora scored one of their best tries of the season in an 80 meter move that started in the Aurora end of the field and went through eight different players before winger Marco Di Girolamo touched down, a classic of open attacking rugby. Dave Ashwood kicked the conversion to bring the score to 12 – 0. This was Aurora rugby at its very best, beautiful running and amazing handling of a wet ball – truly a wonderful try, in my opinion the best try of the season!

Brantford struck back immediately in a surge into the Barbs end, and scored a try to reduce the deficit to 12 -5, but the Aurora Barbs turned on the pressure with more sustained power by their forwards. The pack continued to dominate in the set pieces and at 55 minutes this pressure resulted in the referee awarding a penalty try when the Brantford forwards pulled down a set scrum at the 5 meter line, with Dave Ashwood kicking his second conversion, Barbs 19 – Brantford 5. Five minutes later Marco Di Girolamo scored his second try of the game with a brilliant run of 40 meters - Barbs 24 – Brantford 5.

Marco Di Girolamo completed his hat trick with his third try at 70 minutes, when he took a quick tap penalty and out sprinted the Brantford cover defense to score in the corner and to open up a 29 – 5 lead. Brantford fought their way back into the game with some replacement players making an initial impact and scored their second try at 35 minutes, and kicked a good conversion , Barbs lead cut to 29 – 12 with 5 minutes to go.

On the final play of the game, Barbs Flanker Shaun Allen pulled off an intercept and ran 60 meters for a well taken try, and Dave Ashwood completed the scoring with the conversion – the final score was Aurora Barbs 36 Brantford Harlequins 12.

This was a brilliant display by the Barbs, with their forwards having an excellent afternoon and the backs playing some exciting and expansive rugby in difficult conditions. There was a strength and purpose in the Barbs play that has been missing in some of the League games this season. This was a game where the key parts of a successful team came together – there was discipline, and a new sense of direct play in the backs - the ball was allowed to flow into space, passes were crisp and players took the ball at speed and from depth – all very impressive back play, given the difficult playing conditions.

The forwards had one of those afternoons when they totally dominated the opposition – it was not that Brantford were a weak team, but rather that the Barbs were simply awesome in both the loose and the set pieces. The ability to drive the Quins off the ball in the set scrums was critical and the rucks were much improved – on two notable occasions Leighton drove three Brantford players off the ball and the Barbs won quick ball. The back row fulfilled all of the promise from the League season and dominated in the loose, and the line-outs were successful.

Perhaps the most impressive part of this game was the complete control of field position and the pace of the game. The brothers Ashwood had another impressive game – Rob had his best game of the year, aggressive and inventive around the base of the scrum and an excellent service to Dave. At #10 Dave had another impressive game, after taking a huge knock in the first minute of the game, (partially re-arranging his nose in the process), and controlled the game well, setting his backs flowing and kicking well for field position. Centres Jeremy Campbell and Ivan Barron had an exciting game, and showing much improved distribution of the ball, and excellent running.

The back three, Damon, Marco and Simba were, as usual, exciting and direct in their running, with Damon having an outstanding game at #15. Marco’s tries were key to success and Simba got through some excellent linking to set-up some exciting moves. The subs also played well with Gian Montino playing strongly in the front row, Simon McEachern getting through some good minutes in the second row and Kai Sorensen and Matt Prevoe getting good experience and minutes in Cup rugby, and making a solid contribution to this great win.

In summary, the drive for the 2007 Cup and league double is alive and well!!

Congratulations on a well earned win and an outstanding display of "Barbs rugby" – hard play and wonderful expansive and exciting running and handling.

The victory sets up a semi-final match against the Stoney Creek Camels RFC next Saturday at 1:00PM at Fletcher's Fields. In the other semi-final, Balmy Beach host the Irish Canadians at Gee and Tubs Gage Park, game time to be confirmed.