Mixed weekend of away games for Barbarians

May 28, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Jeff Doner

The Aurora Barbarians Rugby Club senior men visited newly promoted Ajax Wanderers in Marshall Premiership play for three games on Saturday.

The third team match was closely contested for 60 minutes, but the Ajax side proved more than the Barbs could handle, walking away with a 29-12 victory.

In second team action, the Barbarians came back from a 12-5 deficit at half-time to take a 27-12 lead and just squeaked out a 27-26 win after giving up two tries in the last 10 minutes of play.

Scoring for the Barbs was Derek Haines with two tries, and James Coombes and Nick Manoukas with singles.

St. Andrew’s College graduate Mark Denton added a penalty kick and two conversions to round out the scoring.

The Aurora first team had few problems dealing with the young Ajax team and dominated play from the start, running away with a 50 -14 win. Scoring for the Barbs was Michael Neely with three tries, Jesse Haymen with a pair and singles going to Dr. G.W. Williams graduate Matt Prevoe, former Provincial player Steve Shortly and current Ontario Blue Jon West. West also added five conversions.

The Barbarians senior men’s teams play next on June 1 at Fletcher’s Fields versus local rival Markham Irish.

In Ontario Women’s League play, the Aurora Barbarians second team played Toronto Scottish at Sunnybrook Park. The Barbs initial tier two match of the season was a spirited game with all of the scoring coming in the first half.

The Barbarians put up two tries from former national team member Natallie Bendavid and a single by 17-year-old Sabrina Brochu. Team captain Sydney Mann added a conversion to round out the scoring in a 17-0 win. The Aurora women’s first team had played the Toronto Scottish the previous Thursday, winning 22-7.

“We played very good defence all game and didn’t allow them to score on us,” said Gill Hall, team director and player. “Our game plan is to always play ‘go forward’ rugby and we did that by never letting up the pressure on offence. This is a fairly young team and there is a lot of room to improve over the season.”

Bendavid came back after a year away and provided some leadership and structure to the game. She also scored twice.

“She is a former national player and it’s great to have her back on the field,” said Hall.

Sydney Mann is the newly appointed team captain and played very well leading her team to their first win of the season. Sabrina Brochu is playing up an age group and has risen to the challenge and scored a try.

The Barbarians Women’s teams play next on June 1 at Fletcher’s Fields versus Toronto Saracens.