Hamilton at Home

Game left over from May 11th  when the weather and ground was a lot wetter.

Grimsby Gentlemen 24: Hamilton Hornets 17

Venue: Nice dry Alway Park

Weather: about 25 degrees

Referee: Ian Stewart's favourite son Glenn and Assistant Referee Scott

Glenn

Scott

Attendance:  A host of a multitude or maybe a bit less

And this was only one side

James  Vienneau on the sideline for the first time this year; this will be the first time in ten years he and his stash has not received at least a yellow card in a season. 

Dai Rhys Jones and Chris Roden Here to cheer on Grimsby (I think).  Chris has had his picture in the blog even more than some of us

Team:

1) Ryan Montgomery (80 min), (2) Brendan Vorstenbosch  (80 min), (3) Jon Millington (80 min), (4) Martin Van der Hurk (80 min ), (5) Kyle Wilson (80 min) (6) John Frasier (20 min + an hour at the hospital - he was back before the end of the game), (7) Dean Crozier (80 min) , (8) Nick Lord (60 min), (9) Joe Faint (40 min)  10) Derrick Weber (80 min) , (11) Josh Thompson (80 min), (12) Will George (C) (80 min), (13) Dan Prentice-Chowen (40 min and 40 at center), 14) Joe Sanders (80 min) , 15) Laughlin Hill (80 min), 16)  Myron Jurychuck (60 min at flank), 17) Tuan  Vo (40 min at hooker),18) Brendan  (40 min at touch judge and 40 min at center) 19: Tim Sullivan (60 min in chair and 20 min at center.

Tim (out of chair)

The Good, the Bad and the Rugby

I was going to keep track of knock ons and lost balls but I got to one and then I forgot. Both teams did well in the first five minutes until Dan intercepted one of their passes in the center at about the fifty,touched down and converted. At about twenty minutes John caused a player to smack him in the head and get a yellow card.  John went off to get stitches and  was back before the end of the game probably thanks to the new health networks set up by Grimsby the conservative government.  (Every one must think the hospital is closed so no one goes anymore)

Lost count of the stiches

We did what we usually do in situations when the other team is down a player we move the ball quickly from side to side , kick the ball out of bounds and let them score,  When then the player came back on and we let them score again so at the end of the half we had Hamilton exactly where we wanted them.

Half time Grimsby Gentlemen 7: Hamilton Hornets 12

At 45 minutes Dan gets a nice breakaway and run to a touch down and does the conversion..

At 55 minutes Dan kicks a penalty and at 65 minutes Webs makes a partial break, off loads to Will who makes a long run and offloads to Dan for the try under the posts. Being good hosts we let Hamilton score at 80 minutes.

Final Score Daniel Prentice-Chowen 24: Hamilton Hornets 17

Trends:

We have not failed to notice that Dan Prentice-Chowen is a scoring machine (guess who Hamilton picked as man of the match).  We also noticed that we have won the last couple of games without Vic Blaney on the team.  It has been along time since that has happened.  We kicked six balls into the bush and we do not have any yet.

End of the Season after 10 games (9 actually) we have a 6 and 4 record (losses in the first two games (both away) and  two losses to Niagara).  I count that unplayed game against Fergus as a win since it was never played (they did not have a ref) and they call it as a win (their only win of the season) and we beat them in the one game- or at least a tie.  No matter what, we ended up in fourth place in the Niagara A2 division which seems to be a good for a turnaround season.. 

Tats of the Team

We3 are resurrecting a popular feature of the blog:  Tattoos of members of the club.

Drat!

Next week we have a family day with the final flag kids tournament in the morning and we are challenging Burlington to a game of rugby and the winner can say they are the best place in Canada to live) and a pig roast in the evening.

Fergus at home

Grimsby Gentlemen 36: Fergus Highland 21

Venue: The fields of Alway Park in  Grimsby

Weather:Nice night for an evening game (start at 7:15) about 24 degrees.

Referee: A special appearance by Bob Mavrothalassitis straight off the plane from Cuba where he up graded his Spanish because we are used to spanish speaking referees)

Bob is in blue (good job)

Attendance: Once again somewhere between 20 and 600.

special guests Chris Roden and Nigel Thorne from Hamilton checking out the new patio fence

Caddy enjoying the game with his friends

Team:

1) Chris Atkinson (77 min), (2) Tuan Vo (60 min), (3) Jon Millington (77 min), (4) Ryan Montgomery (77 min - 17 at prop), (5) Kyle Wilson (47 min) (6) John Frasier (40 min), (7) Dean Crozier (77 min) , (8) Adam Mehan (77 min), (9) Joe Faint (40 min)  10) Glenn Butler (a surprise) (30 min at 10 and 47 at 13) , (11) Josh Thompson (47 min), (12) Will George (C) (77 min), (13) Sean Fraser (30 min: injured), 14) Joe Sanders (77 min) , 15) Laughlin Hill (77 min), 16)  Martin Van Den Hurk (37 min at lock), 17)(wearing 22) Nick Lemieux (30 min at wing (injured),,18) Jake d'Achille (37 min at 10), 19: Derrick Weber (10 min at 10 and 37 at flanker) ,20) Dan Prentice-Chowen (37 min) listed at the start of the game as unavailable because of tattoos but came on in the second half because he could and doesn't like watching.
We missed Brendan and Nick Lord as they were working.
We got Glenn Butler our Canadian under 20 player (he is playing sevens for the Canadian Mis-fits i in Utah (this is a kind of warm up) on the long weekend. Glenn was home from RMC this weekend and wanted to play but our game was on Thursday and that was his grandmother's birthday (Happy Birthday Grandma) and he could not make it.  However if you eat fast you can get to the game.  Dan (our leading scorer who was listed as unavailable at the start of the game because of tattoos) went home and got his cleats so he could play with Glenn again.

Glann (sic) bulling his wan through the Highlanders

The Good, the Bad and the Rugby

It is a good thing we had all these players because they came out strong for a team that had not really won a game (they got 5 points from us because they claimed a game that we could not play due to a shift in start time due to no referee.  Other wise they have one bonus point for scoring 4 tries in one game and another bonus point for coming close in a game.)  Probably an influx of first teamers so I don't feel bad about our slightly improved team.

We started as usual by handicapping ourselves as Fergus scored at about 10 minutes but we tied it up with a try by Tuan Vo after a blocked kidk by Joe Faint.  The convert was by Glenn.  Fergus then scored  converted tries at about 25 minutes and again at 30 minutes. However we did manage to spring Glenn (or he sprung himself) for a long run along the sideline to touch down and convert himself.just before the half.

Half time score Grimsby Gentlemen 14: Fergus Highland 21

In the second half Fergus continued to play strong and we tended to be sloppy by knocking on passes and letting the Highlanders pull the ball out of our hands.  But they did not score again in the game and we did.
At about 60 minutes Dan scored with Glenn converting and at about 65 minutes someone scored but Glenn missed the extra  At 70 minutes Jake touched down and Glenn converted.  Then at 75 minutes Glenn pushed across a penalty kick and at 77 minutes the game was called because of an ambulance on the field and darkness. The Fergus player did not break his collar bone but did separate his shoulder.

Final Score Grimsby Gentlemen 36: Fergus Highland 21

Tuan scoring after a blocked punt by Joe

This is almost a catch by Jon

"Everyone take your own" dance step

Trends: We continue to be down at the half, we haven't got a yellow in three games but we kicked 8 balls into the bushes this week (four were found the next day in a 10 meter radius ).. Overall though it is entertaining and fun rugby. We seem to play well even though their coach keeps calling the 1:3:3:1 set up the 9:3:3:1 when everyone knows that 9:3:3:1 is the phenotypic ratio of the F2 generation for a dihybrid cross in Mendelian genetics.

Thanks to Erin for cooking the pea meal and making the salads. 

We get this weekend off and then the long weekend and we play Hamilton in a rearranged game from May on August 10th. 

The picture below is of Grimsby Gentlemen Glenn Butler and Dan Prentice-Chowen holding the winners trophy at the North american 7s Invitational in Salt Lake City Utah on August 3rd. They went through the tournament undefeated playing for the Canadian Misfits






Oh no. I forgot to keep my camera  hidden again

I 

Brooker Cup at home

 The thirteenth edition of the Brooker Cup was played against Niagara at our field since we beat them last year with a very close last minute win in Niagara (we even borrowed a couple of their players).

Niagara Coach Ian Matheson - learned his rugby in Grimsby- notice he is  not touching the Brooker Cup before the game (I touched it)

Grimsby Gentlemen 24: Niagara Wasps 50

(not as close as the last time we played them)

Venue: Alway Field

Weather: Very warm (31 degrees which felt like 40).

Referee: Frank Lozano Cuterrez (last minute - we did not have a referee until Friday) but all we really needed was their fullback and the guy with his arm up

If you did not like Franks refereeing just remember he has your playing on video. 

Attendance: quite good (less than a host) considering the heat.

Team:

1) Chris Atkinson (40 min), (2) Brendan Vorstenbosch (80 min), (3) Jon Millington (80 min), (4) Ryan Montgomery (80 min - 40 at prop), (5) Vic Blaney (80 min- 40 at flank) (6) John Frasier (40 + 15 min), (7) Dean Crozier (80 min) , (8) Adam Mehan (30 min), (9) Joe Faint (40 min)  10) Derrick Weber (80 min), (11) Josh Thompson (80 min), (12) Will George (C) (80 min), (13) Dan Prentice-chowen (40 min and 40 at 9), 14) Joe Sanders (40 min) , 15) Laughlin Hill (80 min), 16) Nick Lord(40 min - heat related ) 17) Kyle Wilson, back from Burlington again - (40 min), 18) Martin Van Den Hurk (40 min), 19) Nick Lemieux (40 min), 20) Sean Fraser (back from injury -40 min)


The Good, The Bad and The Rugby

As is our wont we went down two tries in the first fifteen minutes but at 20 minutes Dean pushed over for our first try. Dan converted and we thought we were on our way but Niagara controlled the rest of the half and scored three times.

Half time score: Grimsby Gentlemen 7, Niagara Wasps 29 and we set a new record for balls kicked into the bush.

Our plan B was to score more often than them in the second and we did narrow the gap by scoring in the first 2 minutes from a ruck deep in Niagara's end and quickly out from Derrick to Nick Lemieux for his first score in a while (years).  At 6 minutes Dan scored on the edge and we were creeping up. But Niagara kept on coming and scored three tries the next ten minutes.  The final play of the game we had Derrick kick down field and a nice bounce to Will which let him gather the ball anc score.

Final score Grimsby Gentlemen 24 but Niagara Wasps got 50 (our usual second half comeback faltered)

We kicked a ball into the bushes right about there.

Dan touching down with Brendon, Milli and Kyle coming along behind.

Joe blocks kick and Dean scores

Don't know what is going on here - make your own caption

Looks like vic needs a repair

Dean gets man of the match (he wins)

Thanks to Vic for cooking and Lindsay and Erin for salads.

In the evening we had John McFarland playing oldies and Irish music at the club. He did well but not many attended (I think the heat got to them)

Next game on Thursday at home against Fergus (I already know the score because I am late with this post) and Dean has to drink again (he loses)

This is a small reminder that I should not leave my camera unattended. 

o drink again (he loses)

Guelph at home

For those of you following the schedule you might be wondering where the report on the Fergus game is that should have happened on July 6th.  There was no referee and they asked us to play a 1:30 start game at 4:20  and we were unable to.  Hopefully we will get to play the game.

Grimsby Gentlemen 50 (7): Guelph Redcoats 48 (8)
(Spectators got their money's worth of tries)

Venue: The hallowed ground of Alway which is a bit dry (the sprinklers have not been activated yet)

Our guardian wood nymph emerging from the tall grasses to bless the game

Weather: It was a bit warm (30 degrees) with a brisk wind from the South (as usual) (We played against the wind in the first half)

Referee: Our old friend from our first win this season, Jeff Dahl

Attendance: A multitude or a bit less

Spectators Andy and Greg are a little tired (ha-ha- thanks for doing that guys it gives me a chance to show my impressive wit)

Team: (wow nineteen players)

1) Chris Atkinson (40 min), (2) Brendan Vorstenbosch (80 min), (3) Jon Millington (40 min), (4) Ryan Montgomery (80 min - 40 at prop), (5) Vic Blaney (80 min- 40 at prop) (6) John Frasier (40 + 15 min), (7 or 8) Dean Crozier (80 min) , (8) Nick Lord (75 min), (9) Joe Faint (40 min also 40 at 13)
(10) Jake d'Achille (80 min), (11) Josh Thompson (40 min), (12) Will George (C) (40 min), (13) Dan Prentice-chowen (40 min and 40 at 9), 14) Joe Sanders (80 min) , 15) Laughlin Hill (80 min), 16) Adam Meehan (back after a couple of years playing in our feeder system - Oakville  - 40 min), 17) Kyle Wilson, back from Burlington again - (40 min), 18) Martin Van Den Hurk (40 min), 19) Nick Lemieux (back after two years parenting - 40 min and still looking forward to his first tackle)

The Good, The Bad and the Rugby

It did not start well we were down by three tries in the first 10 minutes (on the plus side we did get practice at receiving kickoffs which we needed).  Some of the boys got a chill as the other team breezed by. However there was some life in us (or at least Dan) who scored two tries at 14  and 17 minutes with conversions.  At the water break we were in the ballpark with Guelph and at 22 minutes Nick Lord touched down and not to be outdone by Dan, he scored again at 28 minutes.  It looked like the start of a rout but at the half Guelph came back and scored again.

Half time Score: Grimsby Gentlemen 26: Guelph Redcoats 24 (but hang on to your hat: we have the wind)

At 50 minutes Dan kicks a 35 meter penalty kick and at 55 minutes Dan scores and converts and then Will scores and Dan converts. We are running away with it except no one actually explained this to Guelph. Guelph then scored four tries in twenty minutes (two converted) to put them up by 5 points.  The last try was scored while Vic was off preparing the Barbecue as he got a yellow for two high tackles (he doesn't like to bend over any more). So with two minutes on the clock and a scrum at Guelph's 35 and the wind in our back, Dean picks up at the base of the scrum, off loads to Dan  who  avoids a slew of tacklers to score under the posts (just like it was diagrammed) to tie the game up .And while the whole world when silent, Dan kicked the conversion. to spoil Guelph's really good  attempt at comeback.

Final:  Grimsby Gentlemen 50 (Dan 35): Guelph Redcoats 48

 Will attracting three Redcoats

Nick touching down (someone buy him some black shorts)

Another high close score, another come from behind win and another yellow.

The happy group.

They come to us young and fit and we turn them into fat beer drinkers(are the glasses half full or almost empty.

A happy rugby family

Speaking of family, thanks to Jake, Will and Joe for coming to the club last Friday to clean the place for Saturday.  Well done

After a lot of away games we have a lot of home games.  Saturday July 20th we are at home to Niagara and the Brooker Cup. Music provided in the evening by John Mcfarland

Niagara Away (June 22)

Grimsby Gentlemen 38:Niagara Wasps 39
(A small bump on our road to rugby dominance)

Record (going into today's game) Niagara was 3 and 1 with 15 points and Grimsby was 2 and 2 with 10 points.

It was nice to meet up again with Ian Matheson (Niagara's Coach) who originally started his rugby career with Grimsby.

Venue: Wasps new south field (2nd men's game on it) with their new repurposed shipping containers.

Weather: First full day of summer and warmish (23 degrees) with a slight breeze and no rain

Referee: Frank Lozano Guterrez and the Niagara number 9 - . both of them might have missed a few not straights

Attendance: We have a few avid Gentlemen supporters  who made the trip. (they wanted to get out of Grimsby and its traffic for the Happening (we did not get the call this year and did not get $500). Grimsby celebrities who made the trip included Ross, Easy and Dean. They got an exciting and close game.

Super fans

Team:

We were a little short as we usually are on Pride weekend.  

(1) Chris Atkinson (member of the props who kick and chase) (80 min), (2) Chris Goulding (60 min) (3) Jon Millington (member of props who do not kick club but score tries (80 min) (4) Martin Van Den Hurk (ran out of his shoes last week) (80 min: except for changing his shoes (5) Vic Blaney (80 min), (6) John Frasier (65 min: injured) (7) Brendan Vorstenbosch (80 min), (8) Derrick Weber (promoted to the forwards where careers last longer it seems) (80 min), (9) Dan Prentice-Chowen(80 min) (his Dad (Dave) was at the game, (10) Jake D"Achille(80 min except to get his head taped up - will need stitches), (11) Josh Thompson (stopped a three man over lap by himself) (80 min), (12) Will George (C) (80 min), (13) Sean Fraser (60 min: injured), (14) Joe Sanders (80 min), (15) Laughlin Hill (80 min), (16) Nick Lord (12 min : 10 for blood sub then just long enough to get a yellow card), (17) Ryan Montgomery (was on for about 60 min but I don't know who for). 

Chris: (English Bloke) played against  Sarnis at home: but my camera battery was not charged up.

Sean (Brock Bloke) originally from Sarnia (same excuse as above)

Game:

For starters we messed up the opening kickoff and let them retrieve it.  They then kept the ball for 3 minutes when they scored a converted try. We kicked off and managed to keep it in their end until a little loop  between Jake and Will froze their defence and sent Sean in under the posts (well close to). Dan converted.  Niagara was lucky because they got to kick off again and we knocked on which gave them the ball again and at 10 minutes they scored an unconverted try.  At 20 minutes the Wasps scored another unconverted try. However at 25 minutes we got a little back and Sean scored again (missed the build up) and Dan converted. At about 30 minutes Dan makes a long run only to have the referee decide the ball was held up so it took a couple of minutes for Dan to finally score  and convert. Niagara kicks off and we catch it (yea!) but we go out of bounds (boo!) With little time left in the half Laughlin makes a nice evasive run and scores (Dan bounces it off the posts.) 

Half time score:

At about 48 minutes Milli picks up behind a ruck at their one meter line  and falls into the endzone to score (Dan misses again). Then we kind of go off the boil and a bad throw (it was crooked ref) goes to player at the end of the lineout and he scampers in for a converted try.  Then at 65 minutes another crooked throw to the same guy scores an unconverted try. .  Niagara then gets a yellow for a high tackle. We do not take advantage and a Niagara pick up from the back of the ruck  to the blind side (I was not expecting that as there was very little room) and a dive to just get the ball down in the corner to put them 8 ahead.. We lose a player to injury and Nick comes on with some energy (he was on load management protocol) and immediately gets a yellow.  At the death while defending our line, Dan scoops a loose ball and out runs the Niagara team to score and convert

Final Score: Grimsby Gentlemen 38 (6): Niagara Wasps 39 (7) -  so close.

Scoring:

Dan 2 tries and 4 converts (18 points), Sean 2 tries, Laughlin 1 try, Milli 1 try 

Trends:

When our backs can get the ball we can run with any team.  Not counting our first two games,  we have scored an average of 44 points a game but we are letting in 34 points which will cause problems in close games like this one. We got 2 bonus points but Niagara picked up 5 points in the standings. The forwards are holding their own for the most part in scrums and we seem to be doing well in our rucks. Niagara kicked off to our forwards 8 times and I think we made a different error 6 times (they get the ball back). We continue our trend of getting a yellow in every game that has lasted over 20 minutes.. Nick atoned ahead of time for his yellow by cleaning the floors of the club last Thursday. 

Man of the match: Jon Millington

Next game is after the long weekend (July 6th) so we have time to practice kickoff receiving and we are in Fergus against a not very good team  (by results) but we still need to go with numbers.  We have played 5 games with the next one away and 4 straight at home

Chris picking up some Spanish language tips

Dan about to not score a try

Milli (no number) about to score a try

This is how it's done Dan

So my son (Mike) comes to visit last week (he had to it was Father's Day) in a new pair of shorts and he was complaining that you could not get shorts that covered the knee like he had been getting forever. So that means all my shorts are in style again.  Maybe the old style rugby shorts will  be back soon.