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BC Bears Announce Roster for Ontario Match
BCRU Press Release
posted Sept 2 2010
The Canadian Direct Insurance British Columbia Bears have announced today the roster for their final match of the 2010 Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) season this Saturday, September 4 in Burlington, Ontario. After two losses the Bears will not have the opportunity to play for the National Championship. However, a great deal of provincial pride will be on the line as British Columbia versus Ontario is a historic rivalry.
The young Cam Pierce (UVIC Vikes RFC) of Vernon has showed well for the Bears this season and will start at the number 8 position. Seamus Gay (Castaway Wanderers RFC) will represent the Bears for the first time this CRC season and has been named as a starting flanker. Another youngster and recent U20 international Adam Zaruba (Capilano RFC) is promoted form the reserves to claim the #4 jersey. The 9 – 10 “Loma Connection” of Colin Brown and Eric Wilson will be at their creative best and provide sound leadership on the pitch along with Bear’s captain Pat Riordan (Burnaby Lake Rugby Club).
Kick-off for the BC Bears versus Ontario Blues game this Saturday is set for 4:30PM at Burlington Centaurs RFC in Ontario. The Bears’ starting line up is as follows:
1 Rhodri Hanmer Meraloma RFC
2 Pat Riordan (C) Burnaby Lake RFC
3 Jason Marshall Capilano RFC
4 Adam Zaruba Capilano RFC
5 Brian Erichsen Meraloma RFC
6 Glen McKinnon Capilano RFC
7 Seamus Gay Castaway Wanderers
8 Cam Pierce UVIC Vikes RFC
9 Colin Brown Meraloma RFC
10 Eric Wilson Meraloma RFC
11 Shawn Mercier Meraloma RFC
12 Taylor Dalziel UBC Thunderbirds RFC
13 Connor Braid James Bay AA
14 Sean Duke UVIC Vikes RFC
15 Sean Ferguson UBC Thunderbirds RFC
16 Ryan Hamilton UVIC Vikes RFC
17 Tyler Hawes Meraloma RFC
18 Grant Davidson Capilano RFC
19 Jeff McKinnon Capilano RFC
20 Mitch Gudgeon James Bay AA
21 Hugo Belanger James Bay AA
22 Sean White James Bay AA
Coach Mike James Burnaby Lake RFC
Ast Coach Tom Larisch Capilano RFC
Manager Connie McGinley Meraloma RFC
Therapist Maurice Michaud Capilano RFC
Doctor Dr. Don Hedges Burnaby Lake RFC
BC Bears Hit "Rock" Bottom Losing 34-12
[ed. comments below]
posted Aug 21 2010
How can a team go from winning the competition one year to last place (depending on Ontario v BC result) in one year. I suppose it's happened in other sports, an example escapes me right now but I'm sure a reader will help out. I've posted the lineup from the 2009 team that beat Russia and the one that lost today. We'll post a match report when we receive it.
2010
1. Rhodri Hanmer – Meraloma RFC
2. Pat Riordan (C) – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
3. Jason Marshall – Capilano RFC
4. Cam Pierce – University of Victoria Vikes RFC
5. Brian Erichsen – Meraloma RFC
6. Ryan Hamilton - University of Victoria Vikes RFC
7. Glen McKinnon – Capilano RFC
8. Tye de Goede – James Bay Athletic Association
9. Sean White – James Bay Athletic Association
10. Jake Hirst – Meraloma RFC
11. Shawn Mercier – Meraloma RFC
12. Taylor Dalziel – University of British Columbia Thunderbirds RFC
13. Connor Braid – James Bay Athletic Association
14. Kurtis Appledoorn – Abbotsford RFC
15. Sean Duke – University of Victoria Vikes RFC
16. Tyler Hawes – Meraloma RFC
17. Adam Zaruba – Capilano RFC
18. Jeff McKinnon – Capilano RFC
19. Callum Morrison – James Bay Athletic Association
20. Hugo Belanger – James Bay Athletic Association
21. Colin Brown – Meraloma RFC
22. Sean Ferguson – University of British Columbia Thunderbirds RFC
2009
15 Connor Braid (James Bay Athletic Association), 14 Brock Nicholson (Vancouver Rowing Club RFC), 13 Matt Buckley (Castaway Wanderers), 12 David Spicer (U Vic Vikes), 11 Vince Herlaar (James Bay Athletic Association), 10 Charlie Jones (University of BC), 9 Ed Fairhurst (Castaway Wanderers), 8 Ben Jones (University of BC), 7 Seamus Gay (Castaway Wanderers), 6 Ben Johnson (James Bay Athletic Association), 5 Glen McKinnon (Capilano RFC), 4 Eric Lopatinsky (Velox), 3 Andrew Tiedemann (U Vic Vikes), 2 Ryan Hamilton (U Vic Vikes), 1 Toby Peyton (U Vic Vikes),
Replacements: 16 Rhodri Hanmer (Meraloma), 17 Jason Marshall (Capilano), 18 Travis Robertson (Velox Valhallians), 19 Conner Christopher (Capilano RFC), 20 Scott Plummer (Burnaby Lake RFC), 21 Nick Waggott (University of BC), 22 Phil Mack (University of Victoria), 23 Sean Duke (University of Victoria)
BC Bears name roster to take on The Rock
BCRU Press Release
posted Aug 18 2010
The Canadian Direct Insurance British Columbia Bears have announced today the roster for their second 2010 Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) fixture this Saturday, August 21 at Klahanie Park in West Vancouver against The Rock from Atlantic Canada. The CRC consists of The Rock (Atlantic Canada), the Prairie Wolf Pack, the Ontario Blues, and the 2009 Canadian Champions - the BC Bears.
After a disappointing opening match in Calgary last weekend, the Bears coaches have inserted seven new faces into the roster – including three starters in Rhodri Hanmer (Meraloma RFC), Jake Hirst (Meraloma RFC) and Kurtis Appledoorn (Abbotsford RFC). There are another seven changes in positions for players involved in last week’s loss.
Kick-off for the Bears versus Rock game this Saturday is set for 3:00PM at Klahanie Park (Capilano RFC Club) in West Vancouver. To order your tickets today go to:
http://www.thequb.com/showtickets.aspx?mid=326
Online tickets are $14 for general admission plus applicable processing fees (NOTE: $20 at the gate on game-day for the same ticket). Online tickets are $5 for youth admission plus applicable processing fees (NOTE: $10 at the gate on game-day). Youth category is "Under 15 or with valid student ID Card.
BC Bears Roster
1. Rhodri Hanmer – Meraloma RFC
2. Pat Riordan (C) – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
3. Jason Marshall – Capilano RFC
4. Cam Pierce – University of Victoria Vikes RFC
5. Brian Erichsen – Meraloma RFC
6. Ryan Hamilton - University of Victoria Vikes RFC
7. Glen McKinnon – Capilano RFC
8. Tye de Goede – James Bay Athletic Association
9. Sean White – James Bay Athletic Association
10. Jake Hirst – Meraloma RFC
11. Shawn Mercier – Meraloma RFC
12. Taylor Dalziel – University of British Columbia Thunderbirds RFC
13. Connor Braid – James Bay Athletic Association
14. Kurtis Appledoorn – Abbotsford RFC
15. Sean Duke – University of Victoria Vikes RFC
16. Tyler Hawes – Meraloma RFC
17. Adam Zaruba – Capilano RFC
18. Jeff McKinnon – Capilano RFC
19. Callum Morrison – James Bay Athletic Association
20. Hugo Belanger – James Bay Athletic Association
21. Colin Brown – Meraloma RFC
22. Sean Ferguson – University of British Columbia Thunderbirds RFC
Management:
Coach – Mike James – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
Asst Coach – Tom Larisch – Capilano RFC
Scrum Coach – Angel Cividanes – Meraloma RFC
Manager – Connie McGinley – Meraloma RFC
Therapist – Maurice Michaud – Capilano RFC
Doctor – Dr. Don Hedges – Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
Rock Roster
1. FRANK WALSH
2. PETER DENSMORE
3. ROD SNOW
4. SEAN O’LEARY
5. TONI WODZICKI
6. JEB SINCLAIR
7. KEVIN PARFREY
8. KEN GOODLAND
9. RICH O’MALLEY
10. DEAN BLANKS
11. ROBERT WILSON
12. (CAPT.) TYLER WISH
13. GEOFF WARDEN
14. CIARAN HEARN
15. MORGAN LOVELL
16. CHRIS BURT
17. OWEN PARFREY
18. JON PHELAN
19. ZAC COUGHLAN
20. MORGAN WILLIAMS
21. KYLE BAILLIE
22. BEN TREVORROW
Bears Get Mauled by Wolf Pack: 41-6
[ed. a disappointing performance by a BC team that had some good players. It looks like The Wolf Pack vs Rock game in St. John's will be the deciding game of the championship.]
by Tom Kennedy - americasrugbychampionship.com
posted August 14 2010
As it was in the first round of the Canadian Rugby Championship, the home team prevailed Saturday with the Prairie Wolf Pack claiming a 41-6 win over the B.C. Bears.
The Pack hosted the Bears at Calgary Rugby Park and survived a couple of early penalty kicks from the Bears to wrack up six tries in an impressive display of total rugby.
Leading the charge of the Wolf Pack was blindside flanker Nanyak Dala who gave his team a huge scoring boost in the second half, notching a hat-trick.
While coach Mike Shelley and his troops had just a four-day training camp to truly prepare, the Wolf Pack brought fierce defence and an expansive offence to Calgary Rugby Park.
Shelley said after the game that he had expected a much closer game, considering the short camp for his team.
"It’s really pleasing to see that a lot of work with the players in a little amount of time paid dividends,” Shelley said. “I think the result shocked all of us, but I knew if we played the structure we put together, we’d play well.”
While the Wolf Pack benefited heavily from the whole team working in cohesion, their back row were especially successful in keeping the Bears at bay.
The game was close to begin with, as each team tested the waters before the Bears notched two penalty conversions through fly-half Connor Braid to take a 6-0 lead.
The Pack's Stephen Woodward replied with a penalty of his own about 26 minutes into the first half to close the gap by three.
The Wolf Pack extended their lead seven minutes later when a successful lineout led to a driving maul downfield before a cross-field kick from Woodward landed the ball in the hands of right winger Dustin MacPherson who dove over for a try.
Another successful lineout-maul combination set up the Pack’s next try three minutes before the close of the half, when a ball was popped inside as the maul broke up and scrum half James Buchanan crossed the line.
The Wolf Pack led 13-6 at halftime on the back of a penalty and two unconverted tries, but their scoring tirade was far from over.
The home team’s first three tries in the second came to Dala, with two of them converted by Woodward before he had to leave the field due to injury. The other was converted by Evan Thomas who took over kicking duties for the remainder of the game.
The Bears fought hard in the second half despite the overwhelming deficit, but much of their good intentions fell to waste at the hands of the Wolf Pack’s defence.
The Pack came hard out of the defensive line and the Bears were forced to cope with little time to react as Pack centres Ryan Smith and Nick Blevins made some scything tackles to break the plays, much to the delight of coach Shelley.
“Cutting down the space and time the opposition have is part of the game at this level,” Shelley said. “The effort on behalf of the players was why it paid off. It was outstanding.”
Winger Mozac Samson capped the scoring for the home team with a try 21 minutes into the second half.
The Bears biggest series of momentum came late in the game as they staged phase after phase close to the Pack’s try line.
The Bears looked close to scoring on two occasions, but a break by winger Shawn Mercier saw him held up over the line and an offload from Braid was knocked on by Taylor Dalziel over the line.
Bears coach Mike James had little to say following the disappointing result, but hoped his team would be able to regain composure before their next clash.
“Collectively, I don’t think we were at the level we needed to be to compete in this competition,” James said. “In the second half, they scored the one try and then smelt blood and jumped on the wounded bear."
The Canadian Rugby Championship resumes next weekend with a double header, when the Wolf Pack host the Ontario Blues at Calgary Rugby Park and the Bears host the Rock at Klahanie Park.
Prairie Wolf Pack 41 – B.C. Bears 6.
Wolf Pack tries – Dustin Macpherson, James Buchanan, Nanyak Dala (3) and Mozac Samson.
Conversions – Stephen Woodward (2) and Evan Thomas (2).
Penalty conversions – Woodward (1).
Bears penalty conversions – Connor Braid (2).
Wolf Pack lineup
1. Tom Dolezel
2. Emil Christensen
3. Hubert Buydens
4. Ian Huston
5. Luke Cudmore
6. Nanyak Dala
7. Kyle Gilmour
8. Jeremy Kyne
9. James Buchanan
10. Stephen Woodward
11. Dustin MacPherson
12. Ryan Smith
13. Nick Blevins
14. Mozac Samson
15. Ian Shoults
Bench
16. Russel Meidinger
17. Peter Houlihan
17. Scott Franklin
18. Bruno Payette
19. Sam Val Zehan
21. Evan Thomas
22. Brennan Marcoux
Bears lineup
1. Tyler Hawes
2. Pat Riordan (C)
3. Jason Marshall
4. Cam Pierce
5. Brian Erichsen
6. Ben Johnson
7. Tye de Goede
8. Glen McKinnon
9. Sean White
10. Connor Braid
11. Shawn Mercier
12. Taylor Dalziel
13. Hugo Belanger
14. Sean Duke
15. Keaton Styles
Bench
16. Ryan Hamilton
17. Dave Cameron
18. Scott Mackay
19. Mitch Gudgeon
20. Callum Morrison
21. Eric Wilson
22. Brady Carpenter
BC Bears Prepare for Prairie Wolf Pack this Weekend
posted Aug 11 2010
BCRU Press Release
The Canadian Direct Insurance British Columbia Bears have announced the roster for their first 2010 Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) fixture this Saturday, August 14 in Calgary against the Prairie Wolf Pack. The CRC consists of The Rock (Atlantic Canada), the Prairie Wolf Pack, the Ontario Blues, and the 2009 Canadian Champions - the BC Bears.
"To round out our roster for Calgary we had a successful two-day camp this past weekend", explained Mike James, Head Coach of the BC Bears. "The players responded well to technical and physical demands placed on them by our coaching staff. The players selected are alert, fit and keen to wear the gold jersey and represent their province. We are quietly optimistic and fully aware the Wolf Pack has a solid squad."
Kick-off for the Bears versus Wolf Pack game this Saturday is set for 6:30PM at Calgary Rugby Park, where several of the BC provincial teams competing in the National Championship Festival in Calgary will be on hand to cheer on the Bears. For fans who would like to attend the game call FCm Travel (Jeff Yumul - 778.370.1971 / jeff.yumul@ca.fcm.travel) to book your ticket to Alberta.
BC Bears:
1. Tyler Hawes - Meraloma RFC
2. Pat Riordan (C) - Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
3. Jason Marshall - Capilano RFC
4. Cam Pierce - University of Victoria Vikes RFC
5. Brian Erichsen - Meraloma RFC
6. Ben Johnson - James Bay Athletic Association
7. Tye de Goede - James Bay Athletic Association
8. Glen McKinnon - Capilano RFC
9. Sean White - James Bay Athletic Association
10. Connor Braid - James Bay Athletic Association
11. Shawn Mercier - Meraloma RFC
12. Taylor Dalziel - University of British Columbia Thunderbirds RFC
13. Hugo Belanger - James Bay Athletic Association
14. Sean Duke - University of Victoria Vikes RFC
15. Keaton Styles - University of Victoria Vikes RFC
16. Ryan Hamilton - University of Victoria Vikes RFC
17. Dave Cameron - James Bay Athletic Association
18. Scott Mackay - Vancouver Rowing Club RFC
19. Mitch Gudgeon - James Bay Athletic Association
20. Callum Morrison - James Bay Athletic Association
21. Eric Wilson - Meraloma RFC
22. Brady Carpenter - Capilano RFC
Management:
Coach - Mike James - Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
Asst Coach - Tom Larisch - Capilano RFC
Scrum Coach - Angel Cividanes - Meraloma RFC
Manager - Connie McGinley - Meraloma RFC
Therapist - Maurice Michaud - Capilano RFC
Doctor - Dr. Don Hedges - Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
Click HERE for the BC Bears Line-up and Management Chart which includes photos of all the players.
BC Bears Squad Announced for 2010 Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC)
[ed. this was gleaned from the Rugby Canada site, no idea why the BCRU didn't release it first or Mike James, but here it is. Interesting to note that three of the players that recently were part of the Rock U20 team that defeated Vancouver are back on the BC squad again, after representing BC in the U18 last year. So flip a coin as to where players end up.]
posted Aug 2 2010
ROUND-ROBIN PLAY SCHEDULE
07-Aug-10 Ontario versus Atlantic, 3 p.m., Swilers Rugby Complex, St. John’s, NL
14-Aug-10 BC versus Prairie, 6:30 p.m., Calgary Rugby Park, AB
21-Aug-10 Atlantic versus BC, 3 p.m., Klahanie Park, West Vancouver, BC
21-Aug-10 Ontario versus Prairie, 6 p.m., Calgary Rugby Park, AB
04-Sep-10 Prairie versus Atlantic, 3 p.m., Swilers Rugby Complex, St. John’s, NL
04-Sep-10 BC versus Ontario, 4:30 p.m., Burlington RFC, ON
BC Bears
Hugo Belanger, Victoria, BC, Centre, JBAA
Colin Brown, Vancouver, BC, SH, Meralomas
David Cameron, Victoria, BC LH, JBAA
Brady Carpenter, North Vancouver, BC, Wing, Capilano RFC
Taylor Dalziel, Vancouver, BC, Centre, UBC
Sanaila Dawai, Burnaby, BC, Wing, Burnaby Lake RFC
Thyssen De Goede, Victoria, BC, BR, JBAA
Sean Duke, Vancouver, BC, Wing, UVIC
Brian Erichsen , Vancouver, BC, SR, Meralomas
Seamus Gay, Victoria, BC, BR, Castaway Wanderers
Mitch Gudgeon, Victoria, BC SR/BR JBAA
Ryan Hamilton, Vancouver, BC, H, UVIC
Rhodri Hanmer, Vancouver, BC, LH, Meralomas
Tyler Hawes, Salmon Arm, BC, LH/TH, Meralomas
Nathan Hirayama, Richmond, BC, FH/FB, UVIC
Jake Hirst, Vancouver, BC, FH, Meralomas
Ben Johnson, Victoria, BC, BR, JBAA
Scott Mackay, Vancouver, BC, TH, Vancouver Rowers
Jason Marshall, North Vancouver, BC, TH, Capilano RFC
Glen McKinnon, North Vancouver, BC, BR Capilano RFC
Callum Morrison, Victoria, BC, BR, JBAA
Pat Riordan, Burnaby, BC, H, UVIC
Jon Thiel, White Rock, BC, TH, Bayside
Conor Trainor, Vancouver, BC, Centre, UWO
Sean White, Victoria, BC, SH, JBAA
Eric Wilson, Vancouver, BC, SH/FH, Meralomas
Under-20s
Kurtis Appeldoorn, Abbotsford, BC, Wing, Abbotsford
Connor Braid, Victoria, BC, FH, JBAA
Casey Cavers, Ladysmith, BC, H, Cowichan RFC
Admir Cejvanovic, Vancouver, BC, SR, Burnaby Lake RFC
Sean Ferguson, Vancouver, BC, FB, UBC
Tye Hamblin, Ladysmith, BC , Centre, Cowichan RFC
Jeff McKinnon, North Vancouver, BC, BR, Capilano RFC
Liam Murray, North Vancouver, BC H/BR, UVIC
Cam Pierce, Vernon, BC, SR/BR, UVIC
Keaton Styles, South Surrey, BC, FB, UVIC
Shea Wakefield, Victoria, BC , SR/BR, JBAA
Adam Zaruba, North Vancouver, BC SR, Capilano RFC
BC Bears - NZ Navy Involved in Blowout: 71-5 (49-0 HT)
[ed. comments below with information provided by Robin MacDowell]
posted June 18 2010
I called Robin MacDowell after the game to get the scoop. He’s the coach of the BCRN youth 7s development team and an ex-Canadian player so he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to assessing rugby talent. First things he says is the halftime score was 49-0, and I’m thinking “oh geez the boys took a sh@t-kicking today” and then he tells me the final score was 71-5... for NZ I asked tentatively? No he says, for BC. Well that’s more like it! Excellent news and the Bears sure needed that preparing for the CRC competition in August. Apparently this wasn’t the full Royal NZ Navy team, more a ship team that had been at sea for a while but to beat any NZ team by that score is an accomplishment to celebrate. So apologies for having my doubts but Mike James and the boys came through on the day.
I asked Robin for his assessment of the players and the first name he mentioned was Scott Plummer. A Burnaby boy that played defensive back for the SFU football team, then concentrated on his career to become a policeman. He was drafted by the BC Lions in 2004 in the third round, 25th pick overall. He played #7 today and Robin was effusive in his praise of him. Definitely thinks he’s Canada material, fit, hard-hitting, hungry and very high work-rate. So we’ll see if he gets some notice this year in the CRC competition. I believe he’s in his mid to late twenties so plenty of time for a rugby career. Also the usual suspects were mentioned as having good games, Ben Johnson, Seamus Gay, Hugo Belanger. Jake Hirst at #10 apparently controlled the game well. Another player that stood out and has been off the radar for a while was Gurvinder Kalar from the Surrey Beavers. He played for Canada West in 2008 when he was 21, went to Australia for two years to play rugby and is now back in BC. He also is a loose forward and Robin was glowing in his assessment of his play today.
So good news for the BC Bears moving forward to defend their Canadian Championship.
BC Bears vs Royal NZ Navy @ Klahanie 6pm on Friday June 18th
posted June 17 2010
[ed. comments below. I encourage readers attending the game to send me their comments on the game and players to watch to editor@bcrugbynews.com]
The BC Bears have their second warm up game of the pre-season this Friday at Klahanie. They were thumped by English Counties last weekend and there's no way of predicting the current playing strength of the NZ Navy team. In 2006 the NZ Navy competed in a naval competition in South Africa and defeated everyone including the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy competed against the RGC1404 team this year and were defeated handily. We can assume the NZ Navy will be a strong team. The BC Bears lineup looks experimental at best, there are a handful of names I'm familiar with covering the BC Premier league so I assume there are some Div 1 and U20 players getting a look. I would say there are about 8-10 players in the 23 player roster that I would expect to see in a full strength squad if BC are to repeat as Canadian champions this year. But this is a good opportunity for a player to get noticed and put their hand up for final selection. Good luck Bears!
GAME: Friday June 18th - 6 PM kick-off Klahanie Park, North Vancouver, BC
1 Hanmer Rhodri Meralomas
2 Murray Liam UVIC
3 Mackay Scott Rowers
4 Pierce Cam UVIC
5 Mantle Nathan Rowers
6 Johnson Ben JBAA
7 Plummer Scott BLRC
8 McKinnon Glenn Capilanos
9 Brown Colin Meralomas
10 Hirst Jake Meralomas
11 Carpenter Brady Capilanos
12 Belanger Hugo JBAA
13 Trainor Connor UWO
14 Appledoorn Kurtis Abbotsford
15 Hall Mike Meralomas
16 Cavers Casey UVIC
17 Cameron Dave JBAA
18 Zaruba Adam Capilanos
19 Gay Seamus Castaways
20 McKenzie Jamie UVIC
21 Tyrer Brian Meralomas
22 Dawai Sanaili BLRC
23 Nicholson Brock Rowers
England Counties Hammer British Columbia Bears
[ed. that's the exact title from the heavensgame.com article posted below. England Counties had played Newfoundland and Ontario prior to BC and had much stiffer opposition. They narrowly defeated Ontario 32-26, and defeated The Rock 20-6. This result will do nothing for BC's reputation abroad although in all fairness it was not a first string lineup and underlies the amount of work coach Mike James has ahead of him in recruiting and preparing the squad for the August 14th start of the CRC (Canadian Rugby Championships).]
posted June 12 2010
British Columbia Bears 7 - England Counties 46
ENGLAND Counties Manager Danny Hodgson insisted that he was the happiest man in Canada after his team completed a hat trick of tour wins by beating BC Bears with a rousing performance at Klahanie Park in Vancouver this afternoon.
The game was an especially emotional experience for the Northumberland farmer, who stands down from the Counties management team after this game having been involved as Assistant Manager and Manager since the side was put together in 2002.
And how well his latest group of players - average age 22 - responded to the challenge of providing the hugely popular Hodgson with a perfect send-off. They scored seven tries in all, with fly-half Paul Humphries converting two and his replacement Ross Winney adding two conversions and a penalty.
The visitors were expecting their toughest test of the three game series, but they got away to a brisk start when centre Henry Staff, the youngest player in the team, powered through to score, and soon afterwards crisp hands from No 8 Mark Evans gave wingman James Tincknell all the space he needed to gallop home.
Good running by the impressive Gareth Collins at full-back helped set up the position for wingman Tom Jarvis to claim the third before lock Louis McGowan was driven over for a try that effectively sealed the game for the Counties at 24-0.
As they have discovered throughout their trip, however, Canadians do not buckle readily and the Bears cut the deficit with a try by flanker Seamus Guy, who took a quick free-kick and bundled over, full-back Mike Hall adding the conversion.
The Bears continued to deny the tourists with some sturdy defending after the break and it was perhaps a tribute to their tenacity that the next Counties score was a Winney penalty to take the score at 27-7.
The closing stages then belonged entirely to the tourists as the home side weakened slightly, tries by Staff, Tincknell and replacement Phil Eggleshaw sealing a top-class display.
"At the start of this trip, I was quoted as being the happiest man in Twickenham when our players came through the County Championship final OK," said a tearful Hodgson: "Now I'm the happiest man in Canada.
"The lads were magnificent and I'm over the moon. To see all the team getting round the field working and grafting like they did was tremendous. There was also skill that was absolutely breath-taking.
"We've had different conditions to deal with in every game and to come into a hot, humid enclosed round and play like we did was something special. For a team that only trained together for the first time a week last Tuesday to play with such style was remarkable and I'm so proud of them. I couldn't have asked for anything more from my last game."
England Counties XV: Gareth Collins (Leicester Lions & Warwickshire); James Tincknell (Wharfedale & Yorkshire), Henry Staff (Blackheath & Hertfordshire), Steve Hamilton (Blackheath & Kent), Tom Jarvis (unattached & Gloucestershire); Paul Humphries (Blackheath & Kent), Will Cliff (Sale Sharks & Cheshire); Matt Long (Birmingham Solihull & Gloucstershire) capt, Jonny Roddam (Fylde & Lancashire), Craig Voisey (Rotherham & North Midlands), Louis McGowan (Coventry & Lancashire), Harry Spencer (Saracens/Bedford & Devon), Mark Wilson (Blaydon & Northumberland), Daniel Baines (Macclesfield & Lancashire), Mark Evans (Moseley & North Midlands),
Replacements: all used - Matt Hall (Blaydon & Northumberland), Nick Flynn (Sedgley Park & Lancashire), Gavin Woods (Caldy & Cheshire), Luke Collins (Redruth & Cornwall), Phil Eggleshaw (Nottingham & Durham), Ross Winney (Macclesfield & Cheshire), Kyle Dench (Harrogate & Yorkshire), Fergus Mulchrone (Macclesfield & Cheshire).
BC Bears: M Hall; B Carpenter, S Dawai, T Dalziel, B Nicholson; J Hirst, C Brown; R Hanmer, R Down, S Mackay, E Lopatinsky, M Burak capt, C Pierce, S Gay, C Morrison.
Replacements: D Cameron, L Hart, A Zaruba, S Plummer, H Belanger, J McKenzie, C Trainor, K Appledoom.
Referee: D Smortchevsky (Canada)
BC Bears Squad Selected for Game Against England Counties
[As the Canadian Direct Insurance BC Bears take to the pitch versus England Counties, the the first stop on the BC Rugby 7s Series - the JBAA Buccaneer 7s tournament will be in full swing. For all Series news, results, schedules and social networking visit the newly launch www.bcrugby7s.com!]
BCRU Press Release
posted June 10 2010
BC Bears Coach Mike James has announced the team for the game against RFU England Counties at Klahanie Park this Saturday, June 12 kicking-off at 3:00PM. With the Churchill Cup and Sevens programs eliminating many players from selection, and with many Under 20 players involved in the National U20 Competition, the squad is a mixture of both youth and experience with James opting to give a number of players an opportunity to vie for places on the squad when it gets together in August for the CRC competition.
UBCOB Ravens lock, Mike Burak will serve captain and is the lone International but is supported by 5 players who played for the Bears against Russia last season: Rhodri Hamner, Seamus Gay, Jake Hirst, Brock Nicholson and Taylor Dalziel are all named in the starting line-up. Dalziel, the UBC center, is one of 5 current or former Canada Under 20 players on the squad. He is joined by Jamie McKenzie, Sevens returnee Connor Trainor and recent performers at the World Trophy in Russia - Kurtis Appeldorn and Adam Zaruba.
The Bears last game against Russia seems a distant memory but few will forget the impact of Vancouver Rowing Club’s Brock Nicholoson on the wing. Nicholson will again be hoping to impress along with Vernon’s Cam Pierce who made a big impression with the Provincial U18s in 2009 and had a great impact this season with the Canadian Direct Insurance League Provincial Champions, University of Victoria Vikes.
The North Shore will be represented well by both Zaruba and Brady Carpenter from Capilano, as well as Nicholson and Hugo Belanger, the James Bay flanker who learnt his trade at Windsor Secondary School. Other players to watch will be former Blues scrum half, Colin Brown and up and coming Velox lock, Eric Lopatinsky.
The team will practice together on Friday at Klahanie and take on the Counties team that has won its opening two games of the Tour against the Rock and Blues on Saturday Afternoon.
Tickets are $20 at the gate or $10 for youth (under 15 years of age). At 1:00PM there will be an U20 Men's Vancouver Wave versus Vancouver Island Rising Tide fixture as a curtain raiser to the Bears game.
Order tickets online and Save - Bundle two Bears' Games and Save More!
General admission tickets for individual games can be pre-ordered online for $14 / $5 youth (plus applicable processing fees). Order online for both games for $25 general admission / $9 youth (plus applicable processing fees).
Remember, it is $20 at the gate for general admission single game tickets, so to reserve your spot at Klahanie Park, avoid line ups and save money, order your tickets online today by clicking:
http://www.thequb.com/Default.aspx?teamcode=175
BC Bears - Starting XV versus RFU England Counties
1: Rhodri Hanmer, Meraloma RFC
2: Rob Down, Velox RFC
3: Scott Mackay, Vancouver Rowing Club
4: Eric Lopatinsky, Velox RFC
5: Mike Burak, UBCOB Ravens RFC #
6: Cam Pierce, University of Victoria Vikes
7: Seamus Gay, Castaway Wanderers RFC
8: Callum Morrison, JBAA
9: Colin Brown, Meraloma RFC
10: Jake Hirst, Meraloma RFC
11: Brock Nicholson, Vancouver Rowing Club
12: Taylor Dalziel, UBC Thunderbirds ##
13: Sanaili Dawai, Bayside RFC
14: Brady Carpenter, Capilano RFC
15: Mike Hall, Meraloma RFC
Replacements:
Dave Cameron, JBAA
Lewis Hart, Burnaby Lake RFC
Adam Zaruba, Capilano RFC ##
Scott Plummer, Burnaby Lake RFC
Jamie McKenzie, University of Victoria ##
Hugo Belanger, JBAA
Connor Trainor, Ravens RFC ##
Kurtis Appledoorn, Abbotsford RFC ##
# Denotes International
##Denotes Canada U20 International
Mike James, Head Coach
Tom Larisch, Assistant Coach
Angel Cividanes, Scrum Coach
Connie McGinley, Manager
Trish Hopkins, Therapist
Monique Charbonneau, Therapist
Dr. Don Hedges, Team Doctor
BC Bears Face England Counties and Royal New Zealand Navy in June
BCRU Press Release
posted June 2 2010
Given the success of the Canadian Direct Insurance BC Rugby Senior Men (BC Bears) program in 2009/10, head coach Mike James is well aware every side the Bears face will be a challenge, especially when the opposition carries passports from New Zealand and England. After a tough loss to Argentina in October and a convincing win against Russia in November - international sides arrive hungry to chall
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