This weekend Richmond was on a day trip to the island to play Nanaimo with 36 players, 5 of which missed the ferry and had to fly over, and one who missed everything and had to stay on the mainland. The ferry rides were uneventful, except for Parker Heuser, who was mobbed by children and Canuck fans who wanted a picture with him due to the fact he was wearing a green man outfit. The trip back was highlighted by the Hawaiian skirts and Elton John glasses donned by the individuals who missed the ferry on the way over. (Alex, Mike, Marc, Alan, and Findlay)
The 2nd division team made a statement in the first couple of minutes of the game by keeping Nanaimo on the back foot through it’s hard running and good support. Richmond was able to capitalize on several penalties in close because of Nanaimo infringements. It was then a steady stream of tries by the forwards. In the end Bryson Castillo ended up with three, Brad Neilson who had to come off with an injury ended up with a hat trick, Matt McIntryre scored one, our new Vancouver college recruit, Mitch, got one, Alex Salameh, in his first of the season, scored one. Eric Woods also had a good kicking game as well. The final score was 51-5 for Richmond.
The 1st division game was a relatively close affair for Nanaimo thanks, in part, to the lopsided penalty calls against Richmond. Richmond started off well but poor handling and some poor tactical plays led to a Nanaimo try in the first 10 minutes, unconverted. At this point, Richmond augmented both its offensive and defensive attack.
Martin Urbanowitz put Richmond’s first points on the board with a try in the far corner, unconverted. The rest of the first half was relatively uneventful with the referee taking the momentum out of the Richmond sails. The second half saw #8 John Findlay take the ball and several tacklers in to score under the posts, converted. Richmond up 12-5. It was time for a defensive show as the bigger Nanaimo squad tried to bully their way over the line. This was the case for about 20 minutes in the second half. Richmond was up to the task and held them at bay. Pressure from Richmond and a high tackle by a Nanaimo player saw Richmond awarded a penalty and a lineout on the ensuing kick. A quick ball off the top allowed #10 Cam Knowles to pop the ball to a cutting Marc Gaudreault who carved up the inside backs and then the full back to touch the ball down untouched in the ingoal area.
Not to be outdone Nanaimo used their bigger forwards to pressure the smaller Richmond pack. A good defense was mounted but in the end they were able to cross the line for a converted score.
It was too little too late however, as the superior fitness of the Richmond squad showed in the last 10 minutes. The forwards who had been having a rough go for the first 70 minutes were able to steal the ball twice. Once in the scrum and then in open play from a ruck. The ball went down the line to the open side winger, Wayne, who had been destroying opposition backs all day. At the two-yard line, near the sideline, he popped the ball over his head to a supporting Paul Gaudraeult, who flopped over the line for the score. Final score for Richmond 29-12.
Richmond has a bye next week but will be back in action February 19th versus Kamloops @ 1:00 and 2:30.
