Women sake Japan on Final Whistle

Wednesday night at Burnaby Lake saw a nail-biting, wildly entertaining rugby game under an Indian summer evening. The game pitted a Burnaby Lake side bolstered with three guest players against the Japanese National Women’s team. Perhaps it is easy to make glib statements about the score not mattering when the home team pulls off a win on the last play of the game against a full international (albeit emerging nation) side, but a great game followed by a most enjoyable reception reminds us of why we put the time and effort into this sport.

Burnaby needed try on the last play of the game by Emily Young of the Kamloops RFC and a successful convert by Canadian International and Burnaby Lake captain Anna (the Iceman) Schnell to finish off the 25-24 upset. The game saw numerous lead changes with teams alternating at dominating the opposition.
Burnaby scored first on a Schnell penalty following prolonged pressure of the kick-off. Japan was not phased in the least and proceeded to punish a series of Burnaby Lake handling errors with a try. Later in the first half Japan applied pressure at the Burnaby Lake goal line and cleverly reversed field to avoid the defensively overloaded open side to score on the blind. This gave Japan a 12-3 lead and apparent control of the game after weathering the initial Burnaby onslaught.
The second half started with Burnaby attacking with renewed vigor, now mixing more kicking (on the advice of rugby correspondent Megan Mutrie) into the attack to unbalance the Japanese side. Soon to be hero Emily Young turned the corner after a series of skip passes to bring the home team close. Now Burnaby Lake appeared to be comfortable as Anna Schnell scored and converted her own try to put Burnaby on top. When Anna added another penalty with 5 minutes left Japan appeared to be finished. Whether Burnaby let up or Japan summoned a reserve of energy is best left to the psychologists but within 5 minutes Japan had scored two tries to leave Burnaby 6 points down and the Burnaby Lake supporters talking about what might have been. Off the kick-off, however, Burnaby regained possession and applied pressure forcing Japan into taking a series of penalties which were quickly tapped and run. Finally a gap opened and Emily Young darted to the goal line and fought toward the posts to give Anna a better angle. Schnell calmly slotted the convert to complete the improbable and the celebrations began.
The Japanese team was tenacious and technical at the breakdown, which led to several stolen possessions. In addition, the smaller Japanese side dominated the scrums putting pressure on Burnaby Lake #8 Katie Larson and scrum half Lauren Tagg to make chicken salad from chicken fecal matter. The guest players for Burnaby were Heather Jacques from Capilano Rugby Club, Laura Foreman from Bayside and the aforementioned hero Emily Young from Kamloops. All acquitted themselves well with Heather Jacques causing havoc in the Japanese team as a cover defender and in attack from the back row.
The Burnaby Lake team was selected and prepared for the game by coaches Emma Hadfield and Ian Trevor as the senior member of the coaching staff, Walt Brandl, has been seconded to the Men’s program while Head Coach Mike James is involved with the BC Men’s team. Kary Steele, playing as a newly minted lock, was chosen Player of the Game by the visitors.
The Burnaby Lake Women’s team would like to thank the BCRU and the BLRC for the support in organizing this very special event.