BIG DAY OF RUGBY AT BRAMPTON RFC    by Hedley Benyon    12th August 2007

 

SUNDAY AUGUST 12, 2007

 

BRAMPTON 2^nd XV    18

BARBARIANS 2^nd XV    42

 

Despite the heavy rain, the Brampton  Rugby Club saw two excellent games of Rugby played in the Men’s Division, and one in the Women’s Division. 

 

The Brampton second XV game saw a remarkable 60 points scored in the poor conditions, and many excellent tries were scored by both teams. The difference in the teams was the brilliant counter attacking play of the visitors, who were able to pounce on any Brampton mistakes and turn them into points. Most of the Barbarians' tries were scored near the posts, which resulted in several conversions and so turning a five point try into a seven points goal.

 

There were some very good performances by Brampton players. Young Mike Sheppard at Number 8 made many fine tackles, and his mobility around the field resulted in two tries. Mike Babbie performed well in the line-out, while Captain Blair McFarland led his team well and scored a try of his own. Other notable performances came from back row player, Jamie Vickery,  and powerhouse centre Niall Donnelly who also kicked a penalty goal.

 

BRAMPTON 3^rd XV   36

BARBARIAN 3^rd XV    10

 

 The Beavers' third team maintained their position as joint second in the Marshall Third Division with a powerful performance against the visiting Barbarians. This team has a great mixture of experienced players, and younger players who are benefitting from the knowledge of such players as Phil Hibberd, Keith Hopper, Dave Carbonne and Kent Tumber. These veterans give the team tremendous strength, and hence the team's high ranking in the League.

 

Many young players such as Matt Worsell, Nic Truong, T.J. Singh and newcomer Jeff “Diesel” Horton, are developing rapidly, and this team is destined for a very strong finish as the season winds down.  Tries were scored by Rick Disleppe, who was unfortunately injured while scoring the try and had to leave the field, Marten Dominiczak, Mike Mehlhorn and two tries by Nic Truong .

 

The final try was scored by the legendary Phil Hibberd, now well into his 50’s, who picked up a loose ball and raced for the line to touch down for a great try. There  were three conversions, all kicked by Brian Connelly.

 

This performance confirms the tremendous strength and depth which the Brampton Club has built in the Senior Men’s program. This, combined with the tremendous number of young players coming through the various junior teams, indicates a very strong future in the Ontario Senior Divisions.

 

BRAMPTON SENIOR WOMEN

 

The Women, playing their last League game of the season, against the powerful Lindsay Women’s team, were defeated 29 points to 10. However, despite the loss, they still make the play-offs and a number of the players  were very confident after the game. They feel sure that with additional training and coaching sessions, they can defeat Lindsay, either in the play-offs or in the final.

 

This Lindsay performance  will have made Vince Jones, the club’s founder member, very proud. Vince, probably the longest serving referee in Canadian Rugby, a man who actually refereed into his late 70’s, and is still an active committee man, started the women’s program in Lindsay and brought his team to the very first “Toronto Classic” played at the Brampton Club.  Vince, who recently had bypass surgery is recovering well, and is still at the hub of the Lindsay Rugby community.