WEEK #5 RECAP

Women:
The Scribes Women lost 20-15 to Capilano on Saturday, and while the team was gutted to lose such a close match, that’s not really the story here. What we should instead be focusing on is how this result demonstrates the incredible evolution of this team over the course of the last three seasons.

What started as a group of a dozen fresh faced rugby neophytes has developed into a cohesive unit capable of challenging the best sides in the division. The group took a big step forward two years ago with their first playoff experience, and this season has started brilliantly with good results against Maple Ridge and Westshore. On Saturday, Scribes rose to the occasion when facing the competition’s leading side, and traded shots with them through to the final whistle.

While Capilano RFC came into Saturday’s game with a positive points differential of over 100 against their previous opponents, Scribes found themselves level at 15-15 against the league leaders with under 10 minutes to play. Full credit should be given to Capilano for finding the crucial breakthrough needed to secure the 20-15 victory, but it’s worth noting that both teams managed three tries each on level terms, with Caps’ additional try coming only with the advantage of a Scribes forward in the sin bin and one of the backs lying prone on the field with an injury.

With the losing BP, Scribes jump to 12 points in the standings through four matches, good enough for second place in the tables. Next up on the schedule are the Surrey Beavers, with the October 21st match set to take place at Sullivan Heights Park. Kickoff time is still to be determined.

Women’s Highlights

Men:
The men from Scribes faced SFU for the second time this season, and this encounter produced another exciting, close fought contest, with the students once again coming out on top.

Scribes looked to have SFU figured out early, with strong play through the forwards producing a push-over try and an early 10-0 lead. SFU, however, took advantage of their athleticism in the backs, and pulled to within three points before Scribes punched back with yet another dominant scrum en-route to a well earned try. That marker set the halftime score at 17-7 and Scribes looked to be in control.

The second half, however, proved to be a case of turnabout for the Scribes, with the SFU pack finally establishing themselves in the set pieces, and the backs running some clever lines to advance the ball. SFU scored a pair of tries in the game’s closing 25 minutes, and Scribes were unable to reply with the game in the balance. A sending off to Dave O’Mahoney for a high tackle – an offense that seemed inevitable after a series of warnings to both teams for similar plays – meant that the Scribes comeback attempt would need to be mounted by fourteen players, and the task proved to be too much at that stage of the game.

SFU managed an additional try late in the game with the man-advantage to wrap up a 26-17 victory and send Scribes to their fifth consecutive loss.

Scribes next travel to the Tri-Cities where they will face United on October 21st. Kickoff is set for 12:45pm.

Men’s Match Video (starting at 15 minute mark)