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