ROAD TRIP TO STE- JULIE: Women win
against Barbs in Dollard 8th June 2009
On a brilliantly sunny, warmish Saturday 6th June,
SABRFC made the long trek to visit the Montreal Irish Rugby ground in St.
Julie in full force. Well almost full force, as our women were playing in
Dollard-des-Ormeaux against the Barbs. It was a day of victories, and
one reverse.
The Ste-Anne's women defeated their long-time West
Island rivals after an emotional half-time speech from Sommer Christie. Many
of the women's team then made their way out to Ste-Julie, which just added
to the festive atmosphere and wonderful display of Club spirit on this road
trip. What Ste-Anne's found at the Montreal Irish ground was not just
victory. They found a rejuvenated Irish Club, with an upgraded Irish pitch,
new Rugby posts and a pitch beautifully lined. The home club has invested
much time and money over the last few years and they deserve a great deal of
credit for this ground, the only Club-owned property in the province of
Quebec.
The Ste-Anne's 1st XV rose to the occasion, playing
some exciting Rugby against a fierce wind. The Irish were first to score
and went ahead on a penalty kick, but on the very last play of the half,
fly-half Yohan somehow managed to launch a drop-kick into the gale and it
sailed over the bar to put SAB ahead at the half by 6-3.
With a strong wind at heir backs in the second
period, and a stream of of fresh players reinforcing the side, Ste-Anne's
was able to cruise to a convincing win. On one play, scrum-half
Aaron Graham went short side, feeding the young Jamieson. Yes, that same
young Jamieson who forgot to wash the kit. He scored. As back row players
Caza and Thomas came on to seal the win, and the women and members
from the two other SAB men's sides cheered loudly, Ste-Anne's enjoyed the
cold beer kindly provided by our hosts.
The other Ste-Anne's teams had battled to their own victories before
supporting the 1st XV. The third team, which only a year ago was
labeled a "non-existent side" (even as they made their way to the
provincial finals", showed they are very much still in existence. They
roared back from a 21-7 deficit against the wind, to pull away and win
33-21.
The second XV found themselves playing in a battle
royal. However, it seemed that they were going to notch another victory
until an errant, wind-blown penalty kick was not followed by the
Ste-Anne's defence, which enabled an Irish player to touch it down
for a try. But there were many positives from this match, one being the
sterling play of scrum-half Hayden and another being the iron-man�work of
Belinsky and Barrington who also played in the thirds game. Both have a
fine future as long as they learn to pay a little more respect to the
referee.
