COWICHAN RUGBY TAKES ON PORT ALBERNI, UVIC JUTES AND VELOX THIS WEEKEND

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

11:30 a.m.: 1st Div. Women, Cowichan vs Port Alberni at Cowichan
1 p.m.: 1st Div. Men: Cowichan vs UVic Jutes at Cowichan
2:30 p.m.: Premier Men: Cowichan vs Velox Valhallians at Cowichan

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

11:30 a.m.: U-15 Boys, Cowichan vs Velox Valhallians at Cowichan
1 p.m.: 3rd Div. Men, Cowichan vs Velox Valhallians at Velox
1 p.m.: U-17 Boys, Cowichan vs Velox Valhallians at Cowichan
2:30 p.m.: U-19 Boys, Cowichan vs Velox Valhallians at Cowichan

By John James

Full slate of games this weekend that will see two Premier Men’s sides who have yet to see a victory.

Last week the Cowichan Rugby Men Piggies travelled to Castaway Wanderers’ where they took on a very good Oak Bay group flavoured with many National calibre players.

Our guys were a bit short on the day when several key players for us were either away for the holidays, out with injury or sitting due to those darn cards these referees insist on throwing around.

The game started alright for us and stellar tackling and several forays into the oppositions end had CW wondering what was going on.

The half ended 15-0 for CW and could have easily been 15-6 if not for a crossbar and other narrow miss in the penalty goal department.

CW’s coach clearly was not happy with his squad and the CW boys were given a rather boisterous talking to at the half. Our boys, intermingled with some 3rd Div players, seemed to keep up with the high powered CW machine.

The second half saw three perenial Canadian players come off the bench for CW, to replace there top notch counterparts in the back row.

Our pack held its own though to the much heavier CW group.

The game started to get away from Cowichan as the horses started to stumble a bit.

An injury to the hard charging #8, Ian Manly, saw him leave the game at the 60 minute mark. This certainly left a gap for the Piggies.

The boys who came on though were all proud fellows and kept the hit rate up against their opposition. Robin McDowell scored a couple of tries for the home side making the score 46-12 for the home team.

This weekend will see the winless Velox Prems saunter into Herd Rd. with high expectations.

The Piggies will get some players back for the weekend so all is in order for good game with the 0-fer going to the losing team.

The 2nd XV take on the winless UVic Jutes and will also see the return of former Cowichan Head Coach Dave “Chili” Grisdale back to Herd Rd.

Part of Chili’s practicum at UVic is to coach the Jutes. There will also be several familiar faces with the Jutes including hooker Casey Cavers,

The Women will take on winless Port Alberni Saturday morning. PA is trying to develop women’s rugby and so far haven’t missed a game.

Look for the high powered Cowichan Women to come away with a win this weekend.

It’s a Junior day at the club on Sunday with three games slated against Velox.

The U-18 Girls are off to the mainland and the 3rds travel to Velox.