Barbs slip to fourth in Toronto Scottish standings

July 31, 2013 · 0 Comments

The Aurora Barbarians Rugby Club senior men’s team hosted three games at Fletcher’s Fields on Saturday with the third team taking on Balmy Beach and the first and second teams scrumming down with Stoney Creek, the current leaders in the Marshall Premiership.

Balmy Beach struggled to send a full side on an away game as the lakeshore club’s premiership sides were playing at home to Waterloo County and needed to keep the reserve benches full. The teams agreed on a player exchange to provide a meaningful match with the Barbarians going on to earn a well-deserved 47-12 victory.

Scoring for the home side was Liam Kennelly and SAC graduate Mark Denton each with two tries and singles going to Adam Young, as well as novice senior players Kellan Spence and Kiaran Joyce. Kicker William Tope added six conversions.

In the second team match up the Barbarians faced a big Stoney Creek side that attempted to grind through a physical game and wear down the Aurora defense, but the home side was certainly up for the task.

They used every opportunity to move the ball wide to take advantage of their speed and ball-in-hand skills. The tactics proved very successful as the Barbs came away with a 27-12 victory all the Aurora points coming off outstanding back plays.

Flyhalf Ryan Cowan scored a hat trick of trys while St. Maximilian Kolbe graduate Kyle Spicer added a single. Mark Denton, called into a second match as a replacement kicker, added two converts.

The first team game was frustrating for the home team. The Barbarians’ scrimmaging proved to be challenge against a seasoned Stoney Creek pack of forwards who put the home side on their back heels in every set play. Although Aurora scored first and lead 14 -12 at half time on trys by flyhalf Bryn Davies and hooker Eric Selvaggi – both converted by Davies, they never developed a rhythm that allowed them to take advantage of their speed.

On numerous occasions the Barbarians lost the ball in contact and committed unforced errors. Heavy rain became a factor through the last twenty five minutes of the game. The only scoring in the second half was a penalty kick by Stoney Creek to squeak out a 15-14 victory.

After the game Aurora Coach Ian McLeod noted, “Our boys played outstanding defense limiting the Niagara club to only 15 points versus their league leading average per game of 34, but Aurora’s turnover count was unacceptable. Against a big team like that you need to keep possession and be patient for the opportunities that open up.”

With the loss the Barbarians slip to fourth place with Toronto Scottish taking over the lead and Stoney Creek now in second. Markham Irish moved into third place with a win over Oakville Crusaders. The Marshall League competitors will sit out next week for the Simcoe Day holiday. The Barbarians play next on August 10 when they host Ajax Wanderers for three games at Fletcher’s Fields.