The BLRC bring home the Palmer Cup

Saturday January 29 - Burnaby wins the Palmer Cup, the annual competition which pits Burnaby's aggregate club score against the Lomas aggregate club score. The competition started 11 years ago in honour of 'Bear' Palmer, a fallen BLRC member. This is the first time Burnaby has won the cup. The Palmer Cup win was a club effort with a win in the third division, loss in the second and tie in the elite division.

In the third division, the boys brought home the 'W' with a 24-14 win over the Loma's thirds. Graduating junior Nolan Shelley excelled on his senior debut. He was ably assisted by Eric Keserich, Panda, Dave Pankratz and Mauro Perizzolo.

In the 1st div. game the BLRC played hard only to fall short after a promising start. The final score, 36-3 Lomas. Carlos A. Pereira was the only player to tally for the BLRC. Steve 'the ticket' Batie, was the pick of the BLRC bunch.

In the Elite division the rain stopped just long enough for the game to get under way...then started again. The Lomas started the game by kicking off straight out of bounds. This gave Burnaby a great starting advantage. But this advantage was short lived because in the ensuing scrum the ball was turned over and Burnaby found themselves on defense. The Lomas started the game surging but didn't find the score sheet. Burnaby, after a sleepy start, found their rhythm and drove down the field. The Meralomas were eager on defense and conceded a penalty which Burnaby converted for 3 points. The lead was short
lived. The Lomas counter attacked after an errant Burnaby kick found its way into the Lomas' back three. The counter offensive led to Burnaby conceding penalty and three points for the Lomas.

Tense moments would go by as both teams wrestled for field position. Burnaby were again awarded a penalty in the Loma's half. Burnaby elected to go for 3 more points. The decision proved successful as James Gough slotted the ball right down the middle of the uprights. But the Lomas managed to level the score just before the half when a Burnaby penalty was turned into 3 points by Eric Wilson. The whistle blew to end the half.

The start of the second half saw BLRC gathering early momentum. The Lomas conceded a penalty which Burnaby's James Gough converted into three points. A few minutes later, an opportunistic kick by Burnaby was misfielded by a Loma winger. The ball bounced up and over a sliding Loma and then chipped ahead by Burnaby's Esava. The Lomas gathered the ball but were forced to touch down in the endzone. The following scrum saw the ageless Colin Mackenzie pick and go, to be taken down just short of the line. The determined Burnaby pack then
executed a series of picks that culminated with Anthony Luca diving over for a well deserved try. The conversion successful.

In the next series, BLRC's Adam Martin took the ball, weaved and crashed into the Lomas flowing defense. His inside cut was met with a high tackle. The vicious hit was dealt with and the Loma flanker was shown a yellow card. His continued chatter to the referee did not serve him well as he was shown another card.

Burnaby now sensing growing momentum delved deep into Loma territory,
only to have the ball knocked-on meters from the try line. It was at this point that Burnaby's confidence started to work against them. As the minutes trickled by, Burnaby's jets cooled just enough to let the Lomas back into the game.

The Lomas took to the offensive. After Burnaby failed to clear its zone, a series of offensive put the Lomas over the try line near the East sideline. Wilson missed the conversion. Lomas again took advantage of Burnaby's lackadaisical approach in the final frame. Burnaby were penalized for being offside and Burnaby's fullback was sent off with minutes remaining. The Lomas surged and Burnaby held them off. Yet after a number of phases the Loma pack drove in for a try at full time. Eric Wilson would miss the conversion. The game ended at sixteen a piece.

Burnaby are disappointed not to come away with the win, but are keen to build on their performance. The boys are on the Island next week to take on CW.

Thank you to the Lomas who hosted graciously. Thank you to the officials on the day. Thanks to all our supporters who braved the conditions.

Posted by Rain at January 30, 2011 11:49 PM