On Thursday February 24, 2011 the team had its first exhibition game... against itself! It was an inter squad matchup from which the starting positions would be decided upon. The coaches were also hoping to get the players, especially the new recruits, some much needed in-game experience.
The game started off with the captains of both squads calling the coin toss. Josh "the Tank" the captain of the blue team and "Mr. Athlete" Jeff the captain of the red team. The blue team won the coin toss and elected to receive the kick. To open up all scores was first year scrum half Alex M with a 2m punch in to the opponents try zone. The points after try were no good, so the score was 5-0 blue team. But the red team answered back with a try of their own by first year 8th man Zain K with a trail out of the right side of the scrum from 5m out. The points after try were a success by Michael D and suddenly the red team led by a score of 5-7. The red team didn't stop there, on the ensuing kickoff they managed to score another try this time by a trail from grade 12 and first year Michael D with a punch through the gut of the defense from 5m out, completing the points after for a score of 5-14. Going into halftime the captain of the blue team had a lot to do if he wanted his team to get back in the game.
The game started off with the captains of both squads calling the coin toss. Josh "the Tank" the captain of the blue team and "Mr. Athlete" Jeff the captain of the red team. The blue team won the coin toss and elected to receive the kick. To open up all scores was first year scrum half Alex M with a 2m punch in to the opponents try zone. The points after try were no good, so the score was 5-0 blue team. But the red team answered back with a try of their own by first year 8th man Zain K with a trail out of the right side of the scrum from 5m out. The points after try were a success by Michael D and suddenly the red team led by a score of 5-7. The red team didn't stop there, on the ensuing kickoff they managed to score another try this time by a trail from grade 12 and first year Michael D with a punch through the gut of the defense from 5m out, completing the points after for a score of 5-14. Going into halftime the captain of the blue team had a lot to do if he wanted his team to get back in the game.
During the half the coaches brought the teams together to get a little constructive criticism. After wards the teams split up again and T.O. decides to give the blue team a little advice. Getting the team fired up and ready, the second half starts. The second half starts with a kickoff from the blue team, after a quick turnover the blue team scorches up-field and within minutes are within striking distance of the goal line. The forwards try to punch through with a few trail balls hoping to punch through the defense. Michael O'B takes a trail ball and gets stuffed 10 m from the goal line. A ruck forms, the ball pops out and is picked up by the captain of the blue team Josh. With the ball in hand he breaks multiple tackles to get feet between him and scoring. With only one man to beat he dives into the end zone while in the process getting tackled manages to get the ball down in the try zone for a score. With a missed point after the score is now 10-14, the blue team is now within striking distance of catching up and possibly winning this ball game.
The blue team knew that this game was no where close to being over and immediately turned up the heat with the kickoff return. The ball went straight to the backs for a long burst up field, led by center and second year player T.O. The ball is led far along the right sideline for what seemed like milliseconds before they were knocked out of bounds and the ball was turned over. Using this momentum the red team takes the line-out and get the ball out to the backs for a long burst down the center of the field. With the goal line in sight playing coach Shams takes it upon himself to score and put a dagger through the hearts of the blue team. Even with the missed points after, the devastated blue team could not come back from this 10-19 lead. With merely seconds before the game would end the only thing the blue team could do would be to hold out and try not to lose by double digits. The whistle blows signaling the end of a hard fought game, the blue team managed to hold off a very skilled team for the remainder of the game and ended with the same score as before.
The man of the match for the red team was Michael D who had 9 points from a try (5 points) and two point afters ( 2 points a piece).
The man of the match for the blue team was "the Dark Horse" Clement E for his incredible play and amazing tackles that let almost no man past him.
All in all a very successful day in terms of the experience that we all gained that day, I look forward to our first exhibition match against Cambie within the next couple of weeks
The blue team knew that this game was no where close to being over and immediately turned up the heat with the kickoff return. The ball went straight to the backs for a long burst up field, led by center and second year player T.O. The ball is led far along the right sideline for what seemed like milliseconds before they were knocked out of bounds and the ball was turned over. Using this momentum the red team takes the line-out and get the ball out to the backs for a long burst down the center of the field. With the goal line in sight playing coach Shams takes it upon himself to score and put a dagger through the hearts of the blue team. Even with the missed points after, the devastated blue team could not come back from this 10-19 lead. With merely seconds before the game would end the only thing the blue team could do would be to hold out and try not to lose by double digits. The whistle blows signaling the end of a hard fought game, the blue team managed to hold off a very skilled team for the remainder of the game and ended with the same score as before.
The man of the match for the red team was Michael D who had 9 points from a try (5 points) and two point afters ( 2 points a piece).
The man of the match for the blue team was "the Dark Horse" Clement E for his incredible play and amazing tackles that let almost no man past him.
All in all a very successful day in terms of the experience that we all gained that day, I look forward to our first exhibition match against Cambie within the next couple of weeks
Tough match man. Seems like you've got a solid team ahead of you. Hope you crush Cambie next game.
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