Week IV: Crusaders at home

Grimsby Gentlemen 28: Oakville Crusaders 27

Venue:  That gem of a field (a little narrow) Alway in Grimsby

Referee: David Nelson *** (can't complain after the result)

Weather:  About 28 degrees with a feel like 35 because of the humidity.  Usual wind blowing from the south which made our first half difficult and their second difficult.

Attendance:  my guestimate would be around 400 (could be a little lower because of the humidity) - however I have been wrong before. A number of people might have left after the opposition went up 4 tries in the first half muttering bad things about the coach and that they wanted their money back (our policy is no refunds).

Some fairly interested spectators

Team: 1. Nick Lord ( 60 min), 2. Brendan Sculland (40 min), 3. Jon Millington (70 min), 4. Jeremy Young, 5. Kyle Wilson (C), 6. Brandon Nytschyk (injury: 40 min), 7. Dean (Dino) Crozier, 8. Adam Godfrey, 9. Derrick Weber (C) (38 min) 10. Martin Colyn, 11. Jake D'Achille( 40 min), 12. Vic Blaney, 13. Steve Savoie (first game with Grimsby; two week visitor) 14. Nick Lemieux, 15. Pat Brown (60 min), 16. Brad Vorstenboch (hook: 40 min)  17:  Martin Van Den Hurk (lock 40 min):  18. Adam Amirault (lock 30 min), 19 Ryan Llwellyn (wing: 40 min), 20. James Vinneau (flank and wing: 30 min) 21. Alex Millar (full back: 20 min)22.  Jamie Farrell (40 min) 23. Bob Mavro (30 min), 24. Drew Rebec (flank: 15 min)

I came late (see next blog) and there were 9 subs on the sidelines including 4 backs.  Last game away we had three subs and none of them backs.  So thanks to the players who are available all the time to make room for the extra players and those sitting for not complaining too much.

Game Report:  I arrived to see the Crusaders score at about 10 min, then again at 20 min, and again at 30 min and again at 38 min.  The last one was converted.  They played a strong forward game with pick a goes, off loads to forwards and lots of go ahead play.  We were starved of the ball and then messed up what little we had (probably trying to do too much).

Jake on a bit of a break in the first half. 

 Near the end of the half, against the run of play, from a scrum in our end, Vic, who was set up in our end zone to kick the ball out of bounds from a scrum, decided to run which caught the other team on the wrong foot and  he made it to the other teams fourty when he offloaded so eventually Steve Savoie scored under the posts.  (how's that for a sentence?) Derrick who had left the field with an injury a minute or so earlier had Jake D'Achille kick his first points after in men's play.

Steve dotting it down  and starting a come back.

Jake kicking the extra points. 

 Half time score:  Grimsby Gentlemen 7: Oakville Crusaders 22

The inspirational half time speech by the coach was something like they were big bodies and we had them right where we wanted them on a very hot day.  With the wind all we had to do was to get in their faces on defence, tackle them hard so they had to keep getting up, put them under pressure and the offence (in the form of the ball) will come. In spite of this made up speech something happened and early in the half Martin pounced on a mistaken kick in the Cru half and ran it back.  The other Martin kicked (I think) and we had 14 points. Soon Cru were in our end with a open run on their left wing (I was already writing down 5 points) when the winger Jamie caught the guy with an incredible ankle tap (incredible in that we don't see many of them that work) and saved a sure try. However soon Cru were over with an unconverted try to bring the score to 27 -14.  (although the side lines was not sure and thought maybe they had scored 6 tries).

We however were getting more ball  and more space to run and they tended to have more people on the ground after plays.  Then Vic made a long run barging through a lot of players to touch down between the posts and with the other Martin converting we were only 6 down (maybe) and ten minutes to go.

Vic looking for the lung he threw up just before scoring.

With about 5 minuets to go some pressure in their end allowed Nick Lemieux to pick up a loose ball and elusively run into the endzone and with Adam the first converting, we were ahead  for the first time in the game. We had to sit through some gut tensing last minute close calls (a 40 meter penalty which fell short and just to annoy the coach we gave them another penalty 10 meters closer, which went wide)

Grimsby Gentlemen 28: Oakville Crusaders 27

A famous win with a bonus point which will move us to 2-2 and above Creek but still one below St. Kitts.

This is the first time we played Crusaders IV at home and they had some nice things to say about the club (except the field is too narrow).  We last played the Crusaders at home in May of 2011 and lost 29 to 0 but their IV team is special in that it has many good players who do not want to train the same way they used to for the other teams.  This team would beat their III team regularly. The felt we had improved our skills since the last time (and we have) but the outcome might have been very different on a different day.  They could also produce a better team if they want to (not sure that they care) when we play them at home (the only team we play twice this year), the last game of the season. Anyway the weather was appropriate for their Hawaiian shirt attire.

The Hawaiian Crusaders

  The Crusaders in scouting our team revealed something that we did not know and that Dean Crozier is actually Mexican (Dino).  The only reason we played him is because we wanted to be able to say we had a New Zealander on the team. Next thing we will find out is that Bob is Turkish.  Dean was also selected as man of the match by the Crusaders.  At least Mexico is 73 in the world while Greece (aka Hellas) is still 99.  But 73 is a far cry from New Zealand.

Dean 

 Next game is unusual in that it will take place next Friday night (July 12), in Guelph (Redcoats) at 9:00 on a turf field.  All of these things are new to the club.

There was a bit of a buzz around the clubhouse after that game.

It should be noted that Webs has not been on the field for our last 6 tries.

Olympics

Who needs uniforms, just headgear and sandals.  Probably why the Greeks are #99 in the world.

Week IV: Norfolk Harvesters away

Grimsby Gentlemen 10: Norfolk Harvesters 32

Venue: Hellyer Memorial Park in Waterford (Dean found Cockshutt Road funny: As if they don't have a place in New Zealand called Whakarewarewa - and the Wha is is pronounced fhu)

Referee: Richard Cook** (had a real English accent ((or a good fake)) so must have been good

Weather: Warmish with humidity (about 30 degrees)

Attendance:  Few supporters - probably could not find Cockshutt Road

Team:

1. Jeremy Young, (70 min) 2. Brendan Sculland, 3. Jon Millington (70 min) 4. Dirk Reichow (55 min) , 5. Bob Mavro, 6. Adam Godfrey, 7. Dean Crozier, 8.  Kyle Wilson 9. Derrick Weber(C) (40 min) 10. Martin Colyn,  11. Iamie Farrell (first game for Grimsby- 60 min) 12. Vic Blaney, 13.Nick Limeaux 14. James Vinneau 15. Pat Brown 16. Nick Lord  (20 min) 17. Martin Van Den Hurk : it was a homecoming for Martin (15  min) 17. Adam Amirault (20 min at lock), 19 Drew Rebed (first game ever - 15 min)

Jamie - first Grimsby game (played for Grimsby High School this year) and first rugby upper body injury but played really well for 60 min

Drew: first rugby game ever - well done

                     Adam: second game ever but I didn't have this camera last week                               Good luck on your 10 k  Peach Bud run this week. 

We would also like to welcome back Pat for his first game this year (last year's rookie of the year) as he was on an adventure to Baniff and Canmore where he got out just before the floods. 

Norfolk managed to break our line and with weak tackling they scored tries at 5 min., 20 min., and 38 min (although none were converted).  In between their scoring tries we seemed to spend a lot of time in their half  but could not score.  At one point a hockey game broke out but saner heads prevailed and no one was sent off and the game calmed down.  Unfortunately we lost our captain, Derrick with an upper body injury (4 stitches) and a lower body injury.  Right at half time, Martin ran over for a try in the corner.

Half time score: Grimsby Gentlemen 5: Norfolk Harvesters 15

Second half, first blood went to the Harvesters with a try at 5 min but we came back with Vic scoring at about 10 min however with a lower body injury to Dirk and an upper body injury to Jamie and a whole body injury to Milli we had difficulty sustaining an attack.  Norfolk scored twice more in the half.

Final Score Grimsby Gentlemen 10: Norfolk Harvesters 32

We seemed a bit sluggish and had difficulty in the scrums (especially the first half) and lineouts but generally played well in defense (if six tries against is playing well).  

Good games by Nick to fill in at scrum half and by our new player on the wing Jamie.  Pat kept annoying the opposition by running most of the kicks back and being difficult to take down.  Next time. 

The sign of a good photographer is making sure he has enough space on his card to hold more pictures or have another card with him, which is why I don't have many pictures.

Sorry to the Harvesters that a lot of players did not go back, I had to take a car full back to Grimsby and another car went to Hagersville Hospital to get stitches.  The were relatively quick (a little over an hour) but don't try (to get in quickly) the concussed rugby player from Grimsby at Hagersville any more (it only works once).

I thought it would take us six people to lift the scrum sled into the back of the truck but these three did it (Nick, Ryan and Martin) by themselves - I held the camera. 

Vic took it off himself.

Flag tournament June 15

This is the one hundredth post in the series about events taking place at the Grimsby Gentlemen Rugby Football Club and we have had 13 220 pageviews since Dec 2008.

Caleb Smith : President of Niagara Flag Rugby and faithful reader of this blog.
Thanks for all the hard work, Caleb

100's (my estimate) of parents learning flag rugby "laws"

                                     
Saturday, June 15th was the first flag tournament of the season and it took place at our home field, Alway.
Considering the rest of the week was quite rainy, it was a great day for rugby.  The field was still a little wet and the grass a little long but everyone seem to have a good time.  Most of the other teams are more experienced as they play in elementary schools in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, so it was a bit of a learning process and we did very well.

Our JK to Grade 2 team (a learning experience)

Our Grade 3 to 5 team (still a little young compared to the other teams)

Our senior team who did very well for their first tournament for most.

Next tournament is July 6th in Fort Erie at Bertie Centennial Park. (about 45 min away from Grimsby)

Week II Grimsby Gentlemen 34: Burlington Centaurs 5

June 8.2013 k.o. 12:30

Venue: Alway Field

Weather:  Another great day for rugby

Attendance:  I have been told I am not good at estimating (I probably have been told that around a million times), so I guess there were hundreds of fans there and Andy who came late as no one told him the time change. 

Sonosor: Steamwhistle Brewery

Team:   1. Jeremy Young, 2. Brendan Sculland, 3. Jon Millington 4. Dirk Reichow, 5. Colin Comfort (40 min -injured), 6. Brendan Nytschyk, 7. Bob Mavro (1 min- no that is not a mistake- injured), 8.  Kyle Wilson 9. Nick Limeaux 10. Derrick Weber,  11. James Vinneau 12. Vic Blaney, 13.Jake D'Achille 14. Ryan Llwellyn  15. Alex Millar  16. Martin Van Den Hurk (70 min at flanker) 17. Adam Amirault (40 min at lock)

We were a little worried that Burlington would stack their team (as they have done in the past) but basically sent a third fifteen which we usually can defeat.  

Congratulations to Jake D'Achille our 17 year old high school player who scored a try in his first game with the men today.  Ryan Llwellyn scored his first try with the Gentlemen. Also to Adam Amirault who is not a high school student but played his first game ever at lock. I will get pictures later.

For the  second game in a row, our backs have been able to find gaps and run through the opposition.  Martin was losing his molars and could not play so Webs went to fly half and Nick played a blinder at scrum half, attacking forward and finding space.  Martin Van Den Hurk who came late and expected the last 20 minutes went on for Bob who put a tooth through his lip in the kickoff. Martin did a great job at lock and jumper (first time in a long time)

Martin jumping in a lineout. 

Vic scored an early try, Jake scored his fairly quickly after with Ryan following.  

Vic scoring

Jake on his way to touching down under the posts

Ryan in the endzone

The tackling in the backs was also good and we forced turnovers one of which Vic returned into the endzone only to knock it on while grounding it.  Actually it looks like he knocked it backwards but unfortunately the referee did not go to the TMO (which is me) to ask for advice - but no try given- and a 22 awarded to the other team not our 5m scrum.

This is Vic showing how not to place a ball. between the posts.

Vic made up for it soon after with a great run and an off load to Kyle who scored under the posts. 

The first half ended with a lot of pressure by Burlington on our line but we managed to hold them out with strong defensive skills (and luck). 

Halftime score:  Grimsby Gentlemen 24: Burlington Centaurs 0

The second half was slower with our forwards losing a little and Burlington doing better.  Against the run of play though a kick by Burlington was not covered (we were down a winger) and a couple of fly hacks allowed them to score.  After that we continued to keep the ball in their end mainly and Vic made up for his botched score by ending up in the end  zone with the ball twice more. 

Final:  Grimsby Gentlemen 34: Burlington Centaurs 5

Scoring:  Vic Blaney 3 T. Jake D'Achille 1 T, Ryan Llewellyn 1 T, Kyle Wilson 1 T, Derrick Weber 2 C.

Not enough Burlinton stayed to have a man of the match rite but Jake D'Achille got the ca\ptain"s award for his rookie try.

Come back later as I should be able to add some of Jennifer's pictures (have not got them yet)

Next game June 22 away to Norfolk Harvesters who play at Hellyer Memorial Park in Waterford.

Ran into Bob Hepburn at the Ireland game.  Bob was Grimsby's first ever president and one of its first players when the club started as a junior team in 1977 (he confirms) which began in the basement of Derrick Harries.  Bob became president when the club became a senior men's team a few years later. He was only in his early twenties then.

Stay

Calm

and

be 

a

Gentlemen

Grimsby Gentlemen 36 : Northeast Philadelphia Irish 7

May 24.2013. 7:00 k.o.

Venue: Alway Field

Weather:  nice evening but a little cool, just made for rugby

Referee: Paul Byrne (abandoning his rugby league leanings)

Attendnce:  With lots of interest it was way above the average

Sponsor: Steamwhistle Brewery

Sorry, I am a little late with this but I had a computer virus, more high school rugby, saw Canada play Fiji and actually have a life. 

The Northeast Philadelphia Irish came to us in the second half of a home and home series (we went there last Easter).  Fifty-four of them including a women's team arrived in Niagara Falls around 4:00 in the morning, caused havoc in the hotel, saw the falls (they think) and came to Grimsby.  They were all kitted out in their new tour shirts.  A t-shirt had "Where's the bus?' on the back.  (You had to be there - in Philadelphia - at Easter)

Alex Millar piping on the ball (and running out of breath - he couldn't play rugby until the second half.

Grimsby respecfully waiting for Alex to collapse

Team:  1. Jeremy Young, 2. Brendan Sculland, 3. Jon Millington (40 min) 4. Dirk Reichow, 5. Martin Van Den Hurk, 6. Kyle Wilson, 7. Bob Mavro, 8. Adam Godfrey(10 min) 9. Derrick Weber, 10. Martin Colyn, 11. Brenden Nytschyk (40 min)12. Vic Blaney, 13. T.J. (Hamilton), 14. Ryan Llwellyn (40 min) 15. Nick Limeaux, 16. Colin Comfort (70 min at flank), 17. Alex Millar (40 min at wing)18. Sian Moms (Wilmot- 40 min at prop), 19. James Vinneau (40 min at wing)

A prop was injured (Nick) playing Wilmot so we made them give us one of theirs (Sian), seemed fair.

The warm up game was played by the Northeast Philadelphia Irish and St. Catharines Tigers Women (we had to borrow a team) .  The St. Catharines girls set the example by convincingly defeating the Irish with only 14 players.

I missed a lot of our game or wasn't paying attention but we seemed to handle the visitors easily (unlike two months ago at Easter).  Adam scored first and then went off with a cut head, Derrick converted.  Philadelphia came back with a converted try but soon Grimsby backs established dominance and Martin C. and Vic scored in the first half and Derrick struck for a penalty in there some time.

Half time score  Grimsby Gentlemen 22: Northeast Philadelphia Irish 7

Second half was more of the same with our backs showing dominance nay brilliance with Martin and Vic again scoring and Derrick kicking enough to bring the score to 36 points for us.

Final:  Grimsby Gentlemen 36: Northeast Philadelphia Irish 7.

It was a good game for us with lots of opportunity to run with the ball, the Irish were missing a number of players who could not make the tour and we weren't.

Vic and Martin had a great day together.

Vic on the run with support from Alex (he recovered) and Martin

Martin scoring his second

However sometimes Milli would get between them (must be in the first half).

from Vic

to Milli

to Martin

The beer up was exciting, nay thrilling, with flying syrup bottles and three kegs of beer consumed (a new record for kegs and syrup at the clubhouse).

A few more pictures (thanks to Jennifer Reichow I have had about three hundred to sort through - which also accounts for the delay in getting this published)

Adam getting groped by the Irish (must be the fetching head band)

Vic practicing air guitar

Nick taking some time to read the writing on the ball

Also thanks to Jennifer for making many salads along with Nick Lord's mother.  Also thanks to Craig Lord (Nick's father) for manning the barbecue all night. Thanks to Kaley Stuart for sharing her expertise in dealing with our antiquated and unsanitary beer serving system. Congratulations to Vic on the social and to Brendan for fixing and cleaning the clubhouse.

There were four cars left at the clubhouse overnight (also a new record).

A tidbit of Grimsby gossip:

Who was that gentleman climbing Wolverton Mountain at noon on Saturday after a night of debauchery in the flesh pots of down town Grimsby?

Wilmot at home (Week I of X)

Grimsby Gentlemen 0: Wilmot Warthogs 26

Venue: Alway Field

Referee: Ian Stewart **

Weather:  Spring weather:,about 15 degrees at the start but cooled with with wind by the end of a long game. Great day for rugby

Attendance:  My best estimate is around 500 (could be wrong)

Team:  First game of the new season and are missing a few from last year but they have been ably replaced:

1: Nick Lord (20 min - injured), 2: Brendan Sculland, 3: Jon Millington, 4: Dirk Reichow, 5: Colin Confort (new position) 6: Bob Mavro, 7: Dean Crozier, 8: Adam Godfrey (first season game with Grimsby), 9: Drrrick Weber, 10: Martin Colyn, 11: Brandon Nytschyk, 12: Vic blaney, 13: Ryan Llwellyn (first game since 1987), 14: James Vinneau (wearing 22), 15: Alex Millar (65 min), 16. Jeremy Young (60 min), 17: Martin Van Der Hurk (skipped a year- 15 min)

Game:

Our opening charge to the 2013 season

The last time Wilmot was in our league (2010) they beat us 43-3 at home and 36 - 0 away and since that time they have been playing in the A division and it showed in that they had a few bigger bodies and a bit more urgency in their play.  We had trouble with their scrum and are still inconsistent with our lineouts. However we had the play in their end often and for long periods and close to the line but could not finish.  They scored on two longish runs and managed to outflank us a few times.  The unfortunate injury to our young prop Nick took some wind out of our sails and they scored fairly quickly after by their eight who ran through our defence at about 25 min and another score before half gave them a lead at half time.  Delay of the game for about 45 minutes.

Half time score:  Grimsby Gentlemen 0: Wilmot Warthogs 12

We continued to play strongly and got close a few times but failed to cross the line. and Wilmot scored twice mainly due to poor coverage and tackling.

Man of the Match goes to Nick Lord and we hope is knee is not too badly twisted.  I really thought that the first ambulance that came to the clubhouse would be for me.

Their man of the match went to Vic who beat their guy in a drink off so we won something.  Also a great job with the BBQ and thanks to Jen for the salads.

Congratulations to one player who played his first league game with the Gentlemen and his first at Alway field.  Meet Adam Godfrey (formerly of Cobourg)

 Welcome back to Ryan  who took several years off to hone his rugby skills.

 And to Martin who took a year off to learn to tie his shoes.

Thanks to Brennan, Nick and Ryan for coming early and cleaning out the clubhouse.
Thanks to the players for arriving fairly early for a good warm up.

In case you were worried, the Wilmot player who lost his keys and phone suddenly remembered he had worn a jacket and when he found the jacket, he found his keys and phone.

Be warned the IRB will change the cadence again to Crouch, Bind and Set next year because that is what they do (change cadences).

The one post that has been looked at the most is the Sept 12 2010 when we played Wilmot Away. It has been looked at 346 times which almost twice as many as the next post (183).

Korea defeated the Philippines 62 to 19 on the weekend and is number 26 in wold rankings only 73 ahead of Greece.

A few more pictures

Dean on his way up

Dirk on his way down

Almost

two 9s trying to ignore each other

Next game Philadelphia