SPARTANS PLAY TOUGH IN PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY VS. NANAIMO REDMEN

By Bob Dubicki

(ISN) — On one of the hottest days of the summer, the Victoria Spartans Bantam team played a “friendly” with Island rivals, the Nanaimo Redmen at Pioneer Park on Sunday August 15.

What was to be a continuation of an annual tradition of Island teams battling it out for Community Football bragging rights, the Nanaimo Invitational tourney unfortunately was pared to simply Victoria and Nanaimo after a scheduling conflict forced the Cowichan Bulldogs to back out at the last minute.

Temperatures hovering around 38 degrees did not all help the smaller squad Nanaimo team who needed “both ways” duty from several key players. The Spartans took advantage by consistently moving the ball on offence and being stingy on defence. The end-result was a 20-0 score.

Spartans scoring came first by way of a short bull-run up the middle by Sam Varao. Later, a bootleg around the corner from the 15 yard line by QB Lowell McDonald resulted in a 2nd TD. Late in the game, a beautiful 35-yard yard reception by Logan Maher led to another passing play, this time a 25-yard Lowell McDonald pass to Elyjah Halstad in the end-zone. Two converts were successful by kicking specialist Callum Duke.

On defence Alex Rutten, Brian Galbriath McTavish, Carson Scotney and Ben Sloat kept the other side to no nearer than the 25-yard line with 2QB sacks along the way.

As always, Nanaimo Football were great hosts. Next stop for the Spartans will be their VMFL season opener on Labour Day at Eagle Ridge/Bear Mountain Stadium.

VICTORIA’S TUSON OFF TO CURLING PROVINCIALS

 

 

 

 

Jay Tuson of Victoria earned the second berth to the provincials Sunday as his Victoria-based team defeated former Canadian and world champion (2000) Greg McAulay 5 – 4 in the Coastal championship at the Alberni Valley Curling Club in Port Alberni.

Also qualifying are Steven Waatainen of Nanaimo, Jay Wakefield of New Westminster and McAulay of Richmond.

A steal of two in the 4th may have been the turning point for Tuson as McAulay held on to the hammer for five consecutive ends until he was forced to take one in the 6th, outdrawing a Tuson rock in the 12-foot.

In the 10th tied 5 – 5 with McAulay sitting one, Tuson opted for the in-turn take-out and just squeaked by a corner guard to make the shot for the point, the win and the trip to Vernon.

Team Tuson includes skip Tuson, third Ken Tucker, second Glen Jackson and lead Colin Mantik.

Jay Wakefield of New Westminster was undeafeated in the tournament, beating Tuson 10-4, McAulay 8-7, Jason Montgomery of Duncan 9-6 and Jay Peachey of New Westminster 11-5.

McAulay of Richmond also won a provincial berth after defeating Team Greg Hawkes of Victoria 5-4 in the C qualifier. Earlier he defeated Dean Thulin of Campbell River  7-3, Dean Geiger of Langley 6-0, Brian Miki of New Westminster 7-5, Peachey 7-4, and lost 8-7 to Wakefield.

Waatainen defeated Geiger 10-2, lost 7-5 to Mongomery and 7-6 to Tuson, then defeated Dale Reibin of Richmond 7-1, Peachey 6-5, and Jody Epp of Victoria 9-4 in the C event.

Team Waatainen includes skip Waatainen, third Jeff Pilon, second Keith Clarke and lead Ian Cook.

A total of 16 teams took part in the playoff for four berths in the 2010 Canadian Direct Insurance BC Men’s Curling Championship presented by Kal-Tire in Vernon, February 1-7.

Also competing were Andrew Bilesky (Royal City), Bryan Kedziora (Royal City) and Rick Pughe (Royal City).

Two skips who had pre-qualified for the provincials were defending champion Sean Geall of Royal City and cashspiel leader Bob Ursel of Kelowna.

RENEGADES EXTEND WINNING STREAK TO 8

By Mark Townsend

The Victoria Renegades continued their winning ways with their 8th consecutive victory defeating the feisty Bulldogs from Cowichan by a score of 45 to 12.

Alex Brennan led the scoring for the Renegades with three rushing TD’s.

Marcus Davis and Kieran Davenport each added a rushing major of their own for the Renegades.

The defense also contributed in a big way to the scoring with Hayden Crothers and Stephan Lechinsky each with an interception return for a touchdown.

Rounding out the scoring was Byron McKinnon, Nathan L’Heureux and Noah Harris with one point convert receptions from the arm of Joe Clarke.

Kieran Davenport, Alex Brennan and Marcus Davis had big games running the football for the Renegades, combining for 404 yards rushing.

On the defensive side of the ball, Stephan Lechinksy had a monster day including two interceptions, sacks and some enormous hits.

Max Hayes also had a big game with an interception and several key tackles. James Nicholas had numerous tackles for loss and was a constant menace in the Cowichan backfield.

The Defensive Players of the Game were awarded to Stephan Lechinsky and Max Hayes for their stellar performances.

The Offensive Players of the Game were awarded to Alex Brennan for his outstanding running and ball security and Joe Clarke for his accurate passing and on field composure.

The Renegade’s final regular season game is Sunday versus the Victoria Spartans at Bear Mountain Stadium at City Centre Park (Langford).  Kick-off is at 3 p.m.

VICTORIA RENEGADES STORM OVER COWICHAN BULLDOGS 44-6

By Mark Townsend

The Victoria Renegades stormed to their fifth straight victory of the 2009 season with a 44 to 6 win over the Cowichan Bulldogs.

Marcus Davis had  a brilliant game scoring the Renegades first four touchdowns including a terrific interception return to the end zone.

Quarterback Ashton McKinnon threw a TD strike to Noah Harris for another Renegades major while Peter Elwood powered across the goal line for the Renegades final touchdown.

Hayden Crothers was solid again running the ball for the Renegades…Hayden is 90 pounds soaking wet but plays like he is 210 pounds. Alex Brennan rounded out the scoring for the Renegades with 4 convert kicks.

As team, the Renegades rumbled for 227 yards on the ground and added another 52 yards of passing.

The stingy Renegades defence was led by the outstanding play of linebackers Easton Garard and Stephan Lechinsky and linemen Keith Cathcart and Jarret Aikman who were in the Cowichan backfield for much of the game.

Great special teams play, including several punt blocks, was led by Hoss Henderson…Hoss was also great along the offensive line for the Renegades.

For his efforts, Hoss Henderson was named Special Teams Player of the Game.  Stephan Lechinsky and Jarret were selected as Defensive Players of the Game for their outstanding play on the D side of the ball.

The Offensive Players of the Game went to Marcus Davis and Noah Harris for their brilliant performances and huge plays..honourable mention goes to Ashton McKinnon for his great throws.  All in all, it was a great game and certainly closer than the score would indicate.

Next game is Sunday, Oct. 11 at Royal Athletic Park…kick-off is at 1  p.m.