Beach 2’s the 1975 InterProvincial Champions
In 1975, the Balmy Beach 2’s displayed true grit on the long road to success!
At the end of the 1975 season, the Balmy Beach 2’s literally travelled across the province. They travelled 400km to play the semi-finals against Sudbury and dominated the opposition with a convincing 44-0 win.
For the finals, the Twos travelled another 300km to take on Sarnia. (Of course the rugby gods and ORU scheduled the Beach 1s to play in the Carling Cup on the same day, bad form indeed).
Sarnia, with 3 Canadian stars were poised for the kill but they did not reckon on Beach resolve and talent! The Sarnia fans were not particularly polite with their “typical beach play” cry whenever we took a penalty or spilled the ball. The turning point came when Beach are awarded a penalty kick and captain John Edwards elected to try for goal. Winger Bruno Brown, knowing the captains limitations exhorts the guys to cover the kick as it may be short!
It was and as their fullback gathered it in under the posts, Bruno jolts him and he coughs it up. John makes a good pass to Center Gerry Allen (swapped with Muff) and Allen makes the massive leap, all of 13 inches to touch the chalk. The game winner! Final score, 10-3. Bob Van Wert raced down the Sarnia sideline admonishing the now silent crew that “that is typical Beach play!”
Surprisingly, Sarnia did not invite the Beach to their post-match festivities, so boys in blue and gold stayed in their gear, drove 4.5 hours to the Club and joined the Firsts in their celebrations upon winning a Carling Cup! A glorious day, indeed!
1975 InterProvincial Championship Roster
Props: Red Lipsett and Lambert McKenzie
Hooker: Geoff Reynolds
Locks: Basil Cultrera and Gord Currie
Number 8: Jack Baird
Flankers: Gerry Allen
Scrum half: Jamie Reynolds
Fly half: John Edwards
Centres: Ernie Armstrong and Brian Dunn
Wings: Bob Van Wert and John Brown
Fullback: Rick Chambers
