Brooker Cup May 31 09

Grimsby Gentlemen 3: St Catharines Tigers 17

referee: Jeff Dahl
conditions: Cool (14 degrees) but clear with a swirling wind
attendance: 700 (a new record)

Ball sponsored by Wayne Hoskins a visitor from Bedwas, Wales


President's Report

Basically we played well but several injuries caused problems especially with the offence. We were without the services of Kyle W. and Kevin M. We lost Alex M., Mike S., Derrick W and several players played with injuries. Jon J. went to scrum half for Kevin E.(injured arm) at 25 min and played very well for his first time in many years. Sean P. (nice to see him back)came on at full back about the same time and Craig E. came on at #10 at the half. Colin M played the second half for his first ever rugby game and looked at home especially running with the ball. Chris S. played well on the wing for his second game since high school. Also Jeremy Young played his first game very well at lock. An experienced Nathan Robottom (as prop) played his first game for The Gentlemen as inside center and made some devastating tackles.

The social part went well again with Bob organizing and Bubbles cooking. Tori again was a stalwart behind the bar.

Team: Mark Hall, Dylan Kinch, Jon Millington, Jeremy Young, Dean Gibson, Bob Mavro, Joel Leonard, Vic Blaney, Kevin Erb, Derrick Weber, Mike Stuart, Alex Stevenson, Chris Sears, Jon Jeske, Alex Millar.

Subs used: Sean Padulo (25min), Colin Maisonneuve (40min), Craig Evans(40min),
Nathan Robottom (40min, Eli Raddick (60 min)

injured: Kevin Murphy

Score Line: Dylan Kinch (penalty kick)




Coaches Report:

For the second game we could not generate a strong enough offence to keep the ball in the other team's end for extended periods. The first half was against the wind and we hoped to get out without a score. However, they scored a try from a rolling mall at the lineout from about 10 m after 25 min. During one of the rare occasions in their end in the first half, Dylan scored a penalty kick (he is 2 for 2 on the season and our only scoring points). But the tigers scored at the end of the half off a quick penalty and converted

Half time score: Gentlemen 3: Tigers 12

A little more offence in the second half but not sustained and we were often on the back foot in defence. Tigers score at 55 min. and even though we pressed a little, we cannot get any more points.

Final Score: Gentlemen 3: Tigers 17

Player of the match: John Jeske for starting on the wing and doing a great job as a replacement for scrum half.
St Catharines choice: Sean Padulo
Our choice from the Tigers: their outside centre

Generally, we were on the back foot most of the game, letting them come to us. We need to have a stronger up and need to do less ball watching but spreading out on the flat line and looking up the field at our opposite number. We are still weak at rucking but better than last week and establish the slow ball plays and use the patterns. We need to block more at lineouts and hold the ball before the scrum half gets it.




From Under the Willow

The lads showed great enthusiasm and look like they are having fun out there, which is the whole point. Well done.

With a lot of new players, you still have to come together and gel as a team and the injuries did not help. The new players played very well considering.

We might have kicked away to much ball in the second half, perhaps we should give it to the forwards and let them sort it out.

I liked #5 (Dean) who may not have knowen where to go all the time, but was a pest to the other team and poached a couple of balls. Your #8 (Vic) played well as did the first scrum half (Kevin) who played with great enthusiasm until we lost two ball at the end of the ruck (actually Kevin hurt his arm).

Beamsville High School

Congratulations to Frank Schilte and Chris Brown with help from Bill Stuart on the success of their girl's rugby team "The Bucs" in winning SOSSA. They have been invited to attend OFSSA (the Ontario high school championships) in Belleville from June 1 to 3. Good luck Ladies.

May 23 vs Wilmot

President's Report

Grimsby Gentlemen 3, Wilmot Warthogs 19
Ref: Tony Kearsley
Attendance: 521

After a hectic week of trying to get enough players registered to play, the first league game of the season took place at the fields at Alway Hall and Wilmot came away with a deserved 19 -3 win. It was a great day with only a little wind and the first 3:00 start in a long time. The Gentlemen were missing a few players and therefore only had one subsitute and an injury to that person soon after being substituted early in the second half, eliminated him.

We began off the boil as it were, and were kept in our half for the first twenty minutes although they did not seem to threaten. At a half an hour in, a quick Wilmot wing scored an unconverted try. Score at half Wilmot 5, Grimsby 0.

One substitute at half (Stuart was injured and Chris came back on, thanks Wilmot. At eighteen minutes in, Dylan had a successful penalty kick from the 22 about 15m in. Then 7 minutes later Wilmot, with the heavier pack, pushed the scrum a few times and combined a few missed tackles led to a try under the posts which was converted. Seven minutes after that with Grimsby tiring a high kick with a bad bounce led to a third Wilmot try under the posts. Final 19 - 3.


Team: Mark Hall, Dylan Kinch, Jon Millington, Kyle Wilson (PL), Dean Gibson, Joel Leonard, Bob Mavro, Vic Blaney, Kevin Erb, Andy Breuls, Chris Sears, Mike Stuart, Alex Stevenson, Alex Millar, Frank Schilte (C) Sub: Stuart English

Scorers: Dylan Kinch (penalty)

As usual, the social part of the day was well done by Bob and thanks to Tori for working behind the bar and Martin Wolf for manning the BBQ. Mark brought his theodolite? and engineered the lines on the field, with the help of Kyle, Eli, Milli and Bill. Except for the score and late players annoying the coach, a good first start. Nice to see the Wilsons with Ben at his first rugby game.

Coaches Report:

We had a slow start due to players arriving late and seem to be on the back foot for most of the game, as we never really threatened to score a try. As a small club, nothing can be sorted out beforehand without all the players there and ready. We must arrive on time for warm up and pre-game organization especially if there are low numbers at practice. We have introduced significant changes in our play and this was the first time using them and obviously need some work. I found a few players hiding in the ruck and not getting out fast enough both and defensively. The flat line needs to be more organized and players need to look up, not ball watch. We were pushed in the scrum a bit but lineouts were generally effective. We will have to see if the ELV's are used in the next game. The centers did well driving foreward but we were slow to the ruck and often had difficulty with holding the ruck (poor body position). The last try was a good kick (we did not put on pressure)for Wilmot and a bad bounce for Grimsby. Overall it was a good first game, and if the players want, a great deal to work with.

Coaches' man of the match: Kyle Wilson
Wilmot's choice of man of the match: Mike Stuart
Our choice was Wilmot's captain and #10

Next Week: The Brooker Cup 3:00 at Alway Hall Field

Rochester 2009

President's Comments

April 25 was a very warm day as the Gentlemen made the trip to Rochester for their first exhibition games. With a little help with some excellent American imports, a Canadian extra, and one player emerging from retirement we made the numbers. We were to play two fourty minute games against the Colonials and Montclair New Jersey. After trying to get the calls organized and the new laws explained we started against Montclair, who were a spirited team, perhaps too noisy,. Playing against a strong wind the first half, Frank scored at two and a half minutes in, but Montclair answered with a try about 5 minutes later. After half time, Mike Stuart barged over to a try, hurting a few players on the way but Montclair responed to tie the game again. Close to the end, Grimsby scored from a quick penalty (by one of the American imports - Mike) but then Monclair agressively kept the ball alive from a lineout in their own end to score a try in extra time. They converted to win the game 17 - 15.

Tries: Frank Schilte, Mike Stuart, Mike ?

We started the second game right after, with the wind, and Vic made a 40 meter run over and around a number of players to score the first try. In one of the best touch rugby plays ever, Bob intercepted a pass and galloped 50 m into the endzone which Derrick converted.

Tries: Vic Blaney, Bob Mavro
Conversions Derrick Weber

Team: Jon Millington, Dylan Kinch, Kevin Murphy, Brandon, Kyle Wilson, Nathan Rowbottom, Mike, Vic Blaney, Kevin Erb, Craig Evans, Martin Wolff, Mike Stuart, Derrick Weber (C), Bob Mavro, Frank Shilte.

Coaches Comments:

Overall a good day, we need more organization and confidence on the field which comes from practice. Kevin Erb did very well in his first attempt at scrum half. Bob Mavro returned to the wing and made some good runs as did Martin Wolff who came out of retirement to play (as good as ever) with his American cousins. Craig Evans, who reached an age milestone on Sunday, was selected man of the match for his cool playing at number 10. We tried a few moves which were generally successful but need more work. We did well on the rucks getting turnover ball quite often and the backs counterattacked well at pace. Good first effort by everyone.

Overall a good day and I didn't lose Vic.

Australia on Fire

Nick Lemieux, our intrepid young winger, left Canada for Australia early February and it looks like they prepared him a warm welcome. Nick will return in a year as either a teacher or a fireman. Good luck Nick and be sure to send Frank some lesson plans.

Peter VanRyn

On Wednesday January 28, Pete passed away as the result of a massive heart attack. Pete played tight head prop for the club between 1983 and 1988. He was a good friend to Grimsby Rugby and will be missed. Pete's daughter Shaunna plays prop for Grimsby Secondary School.

New Year's Levee and winter touch classic

In order to clear some heads, 2009 started with a classic game of touch by about seventeen hardy players about one o'clock rugby time. After about an hour, the group returned to the clubhouse for an even more exciting chili contest.
The chili contest was won by surprise entry Paul Rohner, he was awarded the Mavro. Frank hopes the rest of the year is better.






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