Burnaby Swamps Gutsy Bayside

By Ian Trevor

Saturday April 17th saw Bayside visiting Burnaby Lake in Premier Women’s action. Bayside have been beset by injuries at key positions, and consequently have struggled in the premier half of the season, the players however lead by Christina Hasty are resolute and always put forth a solid effort.

Such was the nature of the match. The opening salvos saw Bayside putting pressure on the Burnaby scrum, and attacking the 10 / 12 channel or using Hasty’s boot to gain ground. Burnaby probed for gaps around the rucks with little success until a surge up the middle via inside centre Tanya Hamilton finally broke the line. Tanya from 22 to 22 before Bayside was able to catch up and regroup their defense. Barring the lone Burnaby incursion, the opening 20 minutes continued between the 22’s with neither club able to make a significant dent in the opposition’s defense.
After continued sparring Burnaby made a decisive break, attacking the gain line directly finding the support and fast ball that would be needed to achieve desired results. Forwards and backs all combined to get the ball into the red zone where Jody Dobush was able to power over for her fourth try of the premier season.
Ice hockey teams often talk about scoring in bunches, keeping momentum once it has been grabbed. Burnaby now provided an example of the rugby version, scoring an additional three tries in the next eleven minutes. With the forwards consistently securing clean ball for the Lauren Tagg, the Burnaby backline was able to find the gaps in the defensive wall. Mel Miyazaki, Suelyn Wirth and Laura Harmse all found the goal line enabling Burnaby to stretch the lead.

Burnaby kept the pressure on for the remainder of the half with Tanya Hamliton again powering through the Bayside line to set up Mel Miyazaki for her second try of the match.

The second half began as the first half ended with Burnaby establishing dominance at the breakdown, eventually securing an attacking scrum near the Bayside goal line. Number 8 Laura Harmse picked and ran right, taking defenders with her. The support from Marley Harris and Jody Dobush pushed the ball over with Dobush collecting her second try of the match, and fifth of the premier campaign.
Bayside then regrouped, closed the defensive gaps and increased the work rate at the breakdown.
Burnaby was held at bay until the thirtieth minute when sustained pressure finally created an overlap on the left side for winger Becky Querido to score in the corner.

Bayside immediately responded with a storming run by Laura Foreman up the middle of the pitch. Bayside worked the ball deep into the Burnaby 22, where a series of pick and goes eventually found the Bayside forwards having a go at the Burnaby backline close in. Despite the efforts of fullback Lindsay Bernrot and Becky Querido, the Bayside front row were able to bust through and Gillian King was able to touch down.
Burnaby quickly struck back, regaining possession after the kick off and setting up Mel Miyazaki for her third try of the game.

The final whistle blew with the final score Burnaby 44 – Bayside 5.

Players of the game for Bayside: Christina Hasty and Laura Foreman, and for Burnaby: Mel Miyazaki and Jody Dobush.

A final word of thanks to the match day referee: Tyler Dawson. Congratulations on a job well done!

Scoring Summary:

Burnaby

Tries

Jody Dobush – 2

Mel Miyazaki – 3

Suelyn Wirth – 1

Laura Harmse – 1

Becky Querido – 1

Conversions

Erin Clement – 1

Becky Querido – 1

Bayside

Tries

Gillian King – 1

Posted by Roko at April 18, 2010 05:51 PM