Niagara Away: Week Four

Grimsby Gentlemen 33: Niagara Wasps III 19

Referee: Ian Stewart **

Weather: Overcast, 20 degrees

Attendance: A few only, the place is hard to find. Chris was there and Kyle who was spectating and not playing, Martin Wolf (we have not seen him since last team dinner).

Team: Nick Howe, Brendan Sculand, Jon Millington, Wally Cone, Jeremy Young, Bob Mavro, Martin Van Den Hurk, Dan Wolfrack, Derrick Weber, Jim Graef, Jamie Scully, Vic Blaney, Martin Colyn (first game for Grimsby), Trevor Trotman, Alex Millar, Stu English (subbed 40 min)

President's Report: You might be forgiven to have thought that if we were playing an away game, missing a number of starters and having several players playing different positions with only one sub after three straight defeats scoring only 3 points in total against a team that defeated the team we lost to last week at home; we might not do well. BUT, WE DID WELL!!! A BONUS POINT WELL!!

It might have started on Tuesday after a particularly annoying practice that Wally (above), our 48 year old rookie, pointed out that we might do better if we scored some tries. As annoyingly obvious as that was, it was correct. So after not doing well at the start of the game, we drove down the field and after 435 minutes of tryless rugby, Vic powered over for a score which Jim converted.

This is Vic (#12) starting out on his historic try.



Niagara came back and scored, but after an errant penalty kick to the sidelines and an even worse return kick by Niagara, Vic ran around the end and scored again at about 35 minutes of the first half. Niagara not to be outdone came back and scored and converted to tie the game just before half.

Half time score: Grimsby Gentlemen 12: Niagara Wasps III 12

In the second half our new young players put on a clinic. After about 10 minutes Martin C. found winger Trevor ( third game ) running a great slash line and scoring under the posts untouched.

Then Brendan (fourth game) jumped on a loose ball and scored. Niagara came back and managed a try and conversion but Martin C (playing in his first game with the club) managed to run around the defense in our half to score under the posts.

Jim converted the last three tries.

Final Score: Grimsby Gentlemen 33: Niagara Wasps III 19.

Scoring

Vic 2 T

Trevor 1 T

Brendan 1 T

Martin C 1 T

Jim 4 C

Coaches Report: Well done Gentlemen, it was nice to see you getting the ball out and finding gaps. There were good decisions made and continuity that was missing in the other games. We seemed to feel the field a bit better. However we should note that Niagara were big which we handled but they also lacked fitness and did not pressure us very well on defense nor take advantage of our some of our lapses when they had the ball . In the one game they won, 18 to 17 against St. Catharines, they admit is was against the run of play and they had a couple of lucky breaks. The Tigers claim they inserted some first team players.

Good job by some players playing in different positions. Bob and Dan connected in the throw-ins, Brendan figured out the hooker position after a few scrums. Dan was around the field at eight, Scully, Alex and Trevor (Stu) worked well in the back three. The scrum seemed to be more stable. Derrick had a great game at scrum half, but my man of the match was Jim Graef at 10 for his play selection, delivery and defence. Well done Jim

The other team's pick for man of the match: Vic (he has been selected by the other team 3 out of 4 weeks- I think he only plays well to get an extra beer)

We are not in last place any more, vaulting over Niagara. Bring on Burlington.