The Beach 2XV – took to the home pitch on Saturday to face the Scottish, hoping to send the home crowd away happy. Unfortunately, the result was not what we were hoping for, and the final score of Scottish 37, Beach 10 doesn’t tell the whole story of the effort on the field.We played some tough rugby. The forwards went about their work with grit, the defence put in plenty of hard tackles, and there were stretches where the group showed the kind of physicality and commitment that make this club proud. Playing at home, the squad wanted to make a statement, and they gave everything they had. What we couldn’t find was the momentum. Rugby is a game of momentum, and when it swings the wrong way it can be difficult to win it back. Each time we started to build something, the Scottish found a way to shift the tide. Over eighty minutes those moments added up, and they were able to tilt the scoreline in their favour. Ten points on the board for the Beach shows there was fight in the group, and the squad never stopped competing. A big thank you to everyone who came out to support the team at home. Your voices were noticed and appreciated.
1XV – The unexpected six-game unbeaten streak finally ran out of steam on Saturday, as the 1XV met the defending champions in a match that would decide their season. It was a hard way to end a run that few had seen coming. The men came into the game with confidence and momentum, and they had earned both. Six straight matches without a loss had turned a side with modest expectations into one that opponents were starting to take seriously. That belief showed from the opening whistle. The 1XV competed at the breakdown, defended with purpose, and refused to be intimidated by the reigning champions. The men did their best. Nobody in the squad left anything on the pitch, and the effort was there from the first minute to the last. In the end, it wasn’t enough to pull out the win, and the loss brings their season to a close. Beach 21 Harlequins 34 Still, the result shouldn’t overshadow what this group accomplished. A six-game unbeaten run is no small feat. The 1XV can hold their heads high, and the lessons and momentum from this season will be there when they return next year.
So the McCormick Cup will be the Oakville Crusaders vs the Brantford Harlequins at 3pm at Crusaders Park
The Gee Gage cup will be the Oakville Crusaders vs the Toronto Scottish at 1pm at Crusaders Park
Tune in to watch the games live on Rugby Ontario’s Youtube page
Lastly the Balmy Beach Old Boys (BBOBs) will be taking on Oakville at 11:30am at Crusaders Park. They will be playing in the inaugural Master Cup. We will be looking for some redemption after a tough loss in the Burlington Tournament earlier this summer.