Bayside Under 16s make it 3-in-a-row with a win against a strong Capilano side, containing some of Caps’ 1st team players, placing the unbeaten Bayside boys at the top of the Spring League. Bayside U16s again had their lucky charms in the form of 3 Under 15s players, without whom, they would not have had the numbers to make up a team. Trevor Purcell, Warren Gendall and Keaton Young first played for the older team a few weeks ago, when they assisted them in winning the BC Under 16s Plate and now have clearly earned their positions
Four late withdrawals due to illness and injury left just enough players to make up a team in today’s crucial Spring League game. This saw team captain, Ronan Clark, move from the tail of the scrum to partner Danny Vasica in the centre, giving the hugely strong prop, Reid Davis, a chance to demonstrate his back-row skills.
Torrential rain tested their ball-handling skills and Bayside allowed themselves to be put under pressure by the better drilled rucking Caps forwards. Too many penalties were given away and then a cheekily intelligent kick over the head of the Bayside backs, by the Caps No.10, led to a short chase into the Bayside in goal and with a wet sliding ball moving away from the defence, he scrambled to earn Caps a well-deserved try.
The first half continued to be gruelling. Reid Davis relishing in his new role was a powerhouse and demanded more drive and support from the forwards, before he picked up from the rear of the scrum to use his strength in handing off three defenders and running in a try for Bayside.
The score stayed at 5-7 to Caps into the 2nd half with some exceptional tackling by Warren Gendall on the wing and great covering by the fullback, Keaton Young. The tackling and jackling by the newly formed partnership of Danny Vasica & Ronan Clark was outstanding and undoubtedly affected the overall result of this game. Unable to penetrate the Caps defence, the pair continued to pound the opposing backs. The pressure led to a penalty, which was kicked by Gavin Morrison, putting the home team in the lead by a point; 8-7.
With minutes to go, Tommy Blackburn cleared the ball with a well-placed penalty kick pushing Caps into their 22. Determined pressure saw the ball pushed out to the left hand side of the field and moved through several hands without a break. Eventually, Carter McDonald received it 20 metres from the corner.
He powered toward the line, breaking two tackles and, as the final defender looked as if he was about to tackle him into touch, McDonald went low for the line and slid the final few feet over the line to score the final try in the last second of the game.
Bayside U 16 Carter McDonald drives over in the corner
The final score, 13-7 to Bayside.
