VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Rowing Club recorded six converted tries on Saturday to down cross-border rivals Seattle RFC 42-15 in the semifinals of the Tier Two Okanagan Spring Brewery League One. The Rowers will now advance to the provincial final next weekend against the top-seeded Bayside Sharks of White Rock, BC.
On Saturday, the Rowers jumped out to an early 21-0 lead as Seattle struggled to find their footing.
"We came out strong in the opening ten minutes going up by three tries. Seattle definitely suffered from their 'bus-legs' and the trip up here," Rowers head coach Jeremy Sabell said, alluding to the benefits of home field advantage. "You have to give them credit though because they didn't go away and kept fighting through to the end."
Seattle were stiff competition for the remainder of the opening half and trailed 21-3 at the break. The second half saw the visitors building momentum as they had much of the possession in the opening 15 minutes. The two sides traded scores throughout the second frame with the Rowers winning the try count 3-2.
By the final whistle Rowers tries were notched by Graham Keane, Matt James, Kevin Gurniak, Dave Hall and two were scored by Steve Craig. James put on a flawless kicking display converting all six tries for the extra 12 points.
Nate Olsen scored Seattle's two tries with Eric Forner kicking a conversion and a penalty.
"I'm very pleased with today's result," Sabell added. "I thought our wingers made good use of the ball and our forwards, especially Connor Dunn and George Richmond really led the pack. And of course Matt James showed he was a world class kicker today."
During the regular season, the Rowers defeated Seattle in both their meetings coming away with a 36-7 win on March 31st, and a 56-10 decision on March 3rd.
In other playoff action today, the Bayside Sharks defeated Richmond RFC 16-15 in the Okanagan Spring Brewery League Two semifinals. Bayside will now advance to the provincial final against top-seeded Vancouver Rowing Club. Tier Two playoffs will see Bayside versus Rowers match-ups in both Okanagan Spring Brewery league finals on Saturday, May 5th.
SATURDAY SCOREBOARD:
MEN'S LEAGUES
Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League - Sat. April 28th:
UVic Vikes 15 - 64(+1) Meraloma
UBCOB Ravens 21 - 38(+1) James Bay AA
Abbotsford RFC 17 - 43(+1) Capilano RFC
Castaway Wanderers 25 - 22(+1) Burnaby Lake
NOTE: Provincial semifinals scheduled for May 5th
Ceili's Cup League (Tier 1 First Division) - Sat. April 28th:
UVic Norsemen 18 - 28(+1) Meraloma
UBCOB Ravens 0 - 27(+1) James Bay AA
Abbotsford RFC 10 - 34(+1) Capilano RFC
Castaway Wanderers 3 - 24(+1) Burnaby Lake
NOTE: Provincial semifinals scheduled for May 5th
TIER 2: Okanagan Spring Brewery League One - Sat. April 28th:
SEMIFINALS: 1st Team Bye weekend - Bayside Athletic Association
SEMIFINALS: Seattle RFC 15 - 42 Vancouver Rowing Club
NOTE: Provincial final scheduled for May 5th
TIER 2: Okanagan Spring Brewery League Two - Sat. April 28th:
SEMIFINALS: 1st Team Bye weekend - Vancouver Rowing Club
SEMIFINALS: Richmond RFC 15 - 16 Bayside Athletic Association
NOTE: Provincial final scheduled for May 5th
Province Wide Third Division - Sat. April 28th:
QUARTERFINAL 1: Cowichan Rugby Club 8 - 62 Kamloops RFC
QUARTERFINAL 2: Capilano-A 3 - 17 Velox Valhallians
QUARTERFINAL 3: Brit Lions 28 - 22 Burnaby-A
QUARTERFINAL 4: Bayside at Kats NOT YET REPORTED
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WOMEN'S LEAGUES
Women's Adidas Premiership - Sat. April 28th:
BYE WEEKEND
NOTE: Semifinals scheduled for May 5th
Big Kahuna Division One - Sat. April 28th:
SEMIFINAL 1: Abbotsford RFC 5 - 39 Cowichan Rugby Club
SEMIFINAL 2: Nanaimo 27 - 15 Kamloops
NOTE: Cup Final scheduled for May 5th
Langara Fishing Adventures Division Two - Sat. April 28th:
SEMIFINAL 1: Burnaby Lake 35 - 22 Brit Lions
SEMIFINAL 2: Meraloma Rugby Club 27 - 10 Ridge Meadows
NOTE: Cup Final scheduled for May 5th
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