Don’t let the final 60-3 scoreline fool you. The Scribes put in a full shift against a quality Surrey Beavers team on Saturday and deserved to be a bit closer in the end.

The Surrey Beavers were sharp in the early moments of Saturday’s contest at Sullivan Heights, notching a try after a line break and some well worked passing to open the scoring just a few minutes in.

The response from Scribes was as a 10 phase movement up-field, a penalty and a missed shot at goal. The small mistake though was punished by Surrey, who proceeded to score a try moments after play resumed with the dropout.

For the most part, this was how the balance of the game would play out; Scribes would work hard to build phases, but small handling errors were capitalized on immediately by Surrey.

Scribes best effort of the opening frame came in the 40th minute, as Josh Knight managed to crash over the line from five meters out, but the ball was held up in goal.

At the halftime break, the Beavers were enjoying a 24-3 lead. It looked at that stage that it was going to be a tough afternoon for Scribes – and indeed it would be – but the question remained what kind of effort level would be shown and what kind of experience they would be able to glean from the encounter.

Scribes did well in the following quarter, limiting the Beavers to a lone try. There was a lot of defending in the Scribes 22m, but the visitors were able to hold their line, make tackles and cause turnovers.

During the final 20 minutes though, it was evident that there was nothing left in the legs for Scribes, as half-gap breaks turned into big holes and big gains for the Beavers, who were moving the length of the field at will and scoring tries with clean heels. It was tough to watch for the Scribes supporters in attendance, but the mistakes on the field were clearly tied to fitness and a case tired bodies competing against fresh reserves. The Beavers notched a total of four tries in the game’s final 20 minutes to close out the scoring.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, there were a number of good phases and positive play from the Scribes. A collection of these encouraging moments can be seen in this very watchable, and highly edited, game footage.

Surrey, now with 11 points in the standings and a record of 2-1, will keep pace with Division 2 leaders Meraloma.

With a string of three losses to start the season, it will not get any easier for the Scribes, as they face those aforementioned Lomas in their next match. Kickoff at Connaught Park in Kitsilano on March 4th is scheduled for 1pm.

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