MVHS and James M Hill girls squared off in Miramichi on Thursday May 12th at the JMH field. They were competing for the Marty Williams Cup. This annual match up, named after one of the pioneers of rugby on the Miramichi, was a fierce display of hard nosed rugby.
These match ups never lack intensity and both sides had lots of loud fan support. The crowd did not go home disappointed. The match started with aggressive tackling and rucking from both teams. It was clear both teams were going to leave everything on the field. The counter rucking was quick and aggressive as often both teams had the defence stepping over the player or getting fingertips on the ball.
JMH #10 MacDonald was controlling the pace for the “home” team with strong running and smart decision making on offence and controlled aggression on defence. Meanwhile MVHS was depending on experienced players such as Flanker Furlong to make the smart, quick decision at the breakdown to work their way down field.
Eventually MVHS were able to work their way inside the JMH 22 and chip away until #4 Keating was able to break through for a try. 5-0 MVHS.
MVHS was knocking on the door again before half time but strong JMH defence kept the score at 5-0 after pushing players to the sidelines in defence and courageous tackles inside their own 5.
The second half started with MVHS having the wind at their backs. This did not deter the home team as their forwards become a force at every breakdown. MVHS were unable to maintain clean ball and JMH was able to work the ball to the MVHS side of half when MacDonald broke through for a 40 meter run up the side. T
he JMH kicker struck the ball beautifully into the wind and was able to make the extremely difficult convert to put JMH ahead. JMH 7- MVHS 5.
MVHS was able to once again work the ball deep into the JMH end with strong running from the outside with #14 Hayes straightening out the backfield on multiple possessions for 10-15 meter gains. Not to be outdone Winger Donahue for JMH took many balls off of the set piece and was able to get MVHS restarting play on their back foot.
After a deep kick from a penalty MVHS was able to secure a line out deep in JMH territory. After multiple phases #8 Chambers was able to break through for a try. She converted her own try. MVHS 12- JMH 7.
As the game moved on MVHS was able to keep the ball in the JMH end with a strong wind. JMH once again showed a unwillingness to quit on defence and held their wall on defence until Keating broke through for her second try of the day. MVHS 17- JMH 7.
With only 5 minutes to play JMH worked their way into MVHS territory but an untimely knock would end the game.
Final MVHS 17 – JMH 7
Special Thanks to Brent Garrish for the info on this great match up.
Check back later today to get the details on the BMHS@MHS game. It was a one score game with 10 mins to go.
A high tempo game from the kick off looked to favour ODC. Some great line breaks by the MHS front row swung the momentum quickly.
LeBlance would miss the opening conversion but would hit the remainder for the day, finishing with a very impressive 4/5 and tallied up 13 points.
The bright spots of play by ODC began to be overshadowed by the MHS level of play. MHS 8 Man Walker had a sure try but touched the ball down short of the line. This was followed quickly by LeBlance touching one down in the corner, only to have stepped out of bounds, ever so slightly, a few yards short of the line.
The opening kick off was fielded by HTHS fly half turned scrum half, Hamer. This was telling of how many touches and probing runs he would have on the day. Shortly after RHS were awarded a penalty and kicked into the corner for a 10 metre line out. Trimble came away with the ball and moved it wide in an effort to run it out of their end zone.
, he left the game for precautionary reasons after contact with a team-mate during a tackle.
The outcome was predictable. A good effort by the short side flanker for RHS, was not well enough supported to keep Fall out of the end zone. HTHS had the first try of the game.
Not enough can be said about the Captains in this one. Hawkes for RHS and Hamer for HTHS ensured this game didn’t get chippy even in the face of multiple tackle related penalties and yellow cards. The tackle infringements didn’t seem malicious, but certainly were outside of what is required to maintain safe play. The free flowing of yellow cards via experienced referee Arsenault helped the Captains ensure game control was maintained.
Moncton Black Tide Rugby Football Club 