Footy at Burnaby and Ladies night!!!
Saturday July 17th provided the perfect setting for Football in British Columbia, with the sun shining and mid 20′s temperatures, the Burnaby Eagles and Delta Bayhawks hoped to carry the momentum from the previous rounds performances and show why they should not be taken easily as the finals come closer.
The first game saw the Delta Bayhawks take on the undefeated Vancouver Cougars. With a few player out, Delta had some last minute call ups, including young first gamer, Nicko. From the first bounce it was obvious the Bayhawks had come to play. With Regen Daniel sitting in the forward line for the first time, and returning International cup players, Clay and Andrew in the line-up, the Bayhawks moved the ball quickly and efficiently from the opening bounce, getting the ball to a leading Regen (“Rigs) who kicked 5 straight for the game. In the backline, young stars JC and Connor where moving the ball out of defence against much more fancied and experienced opponents made to look slow and old. As the game wore on the scores became tighter and every possession counted, with the teams going goal for goal for much of the remainder of the game. With only seconds remaining in the game, the Cougars kicked a goal, leaving the Bayhawks short by 3 points.
In the Second Game, Burnaby faced a fired up Saints side, who had been embarrassed the round previous by a young Bayhawks side. The Saints came out strong, kicking the first 5 goals of the game, and Burnaby looked to be in trouble at quarter time, having only managed to put 1 goal on the board. Quarter time saw some changes made to the line up, and an urging from Coach Handley to concentrate on what they control, the contested possession. Burnaby came out a different side after this, laying some big hits and being the first at the ball at every contest. With Gino working tirelessly in the ruck, and Adam Kelly being everywhere, the game began to creep into the Burnaby Eagles favour. Despite a heavy tag and only one leg to run on, Bergs was able to break the game open with speed and skill, delivering the ball to full forward, where Chris P was taking multiple contested marks, and despite questions on his kicking, finished the game with 5 goals, 1 behind. The backline was able to come back from a poor start, with Lex P putting his body on the line at all contests, and Dave K getting his hands on the ball at every contest. In a last grasp effort, after the ball was pushed out of bounds in the Eagles forward pocket, back up ruckman Dale Handley tapped the ball down to a fast moving Paddy, who kicked the ball to the top of the square, with Chris P again taking a contested mark against multiple Saints opponents. The siren sounded moments later. Many players where unsure of the importance of the kick, with the score being so tight, as it turned out, the Eagles where down by 3 points, and the last kick of the game was going to decide the winner of this game. Chris P did not let the Eagles down, kicking the goal to give the Eagles a 3 point Victory.
Later that night was the annual Eagles/ Bayhawks Ladies night at Mooses Down Under. Always the biggest event on the BCAFL calendar, 2010 proved no different. With Multiple ladies showing up to have the chance to purchase a club player to be their slave for the night, and entertainment being provided by Bergs, including Musical chairs and whipped cream eating contests, all in attendance had a fantastic night. The auction saw a bidding war for multiple players, many players forced to remove articles of clothing and succumb to the Ladies needs.
A huge thanks goes out to the Mooses Down Under Crew, Dane Bergman, Lex Perry, “the Wiz”, Pete Taylor, Steve Gibson (who helped out with Blackjack) and all those that put their hand up to help out at the door and be auctioned off!!
