Burnaby Twilighters Rugby Club, with the help of some underaged talent, beat Powell River Otago Rugby Club’s Old Boys four trys to one in an exhibition match at Cranberry Field.
Otago coach Jack Beardmore said the contest, played August 19, was something that everyone in attendance enjoyed 100 per cent. The game featured ruggers 35 years of age and older, and some in their 60s and 70s.
“Had it not been for one 17-year-old grandson out there, it would have been a tie game,” said Beardmore. “They asked us if it was okay to play that young winger who scored three trys and I said, ‘absolutely, go ahead.’ Without him, it would have been one – one. He was faster than anyone on the field.”
Beardmore said the Twilighters outcoached him because they knew where to put their players that couldn’t be tackled, making it difficult to run past them.
“It’s been so long since I’ve done any old boys rugby,” said Beardmore. “Strategically, they thought that out a little better than I did. However, it was a fun thing and a good opportunity for us to get ready for our game in Victoria against the Castaway Wanderers next weekend.”
Beardmore said he was pleased with the turnout of rugby players for the game. Otago was able to field a full side, even though five of the players couldn’t make it because of other commitments.
“I was tickled with the number of people who came out and supported us on the sidelines, as well,” said Beardmore.
In terms of the game itself, there was some hard hitting on the field. Beardmore said one of the Burnaby old boys, two years ago, was playing for the provincial rugby team.
“That’s a high calibre of rugby player right there,” said Beardmore. “The whole thing was to have fun.”
There was also a great social time after the game with a pig roast at the Otago clubhouse.
Twilighters representative Chris Patterson, who played in the game and helped organize the trip to Powell River, said the club came here before and had a great time.
“I wanted to bring some of the younger guys to meet the Powell River guys, because they are great guys,” said Patterson. “It’s a beautiful community and a great spot to be and I wanted to have another match before I’m gone and can’t do this anymore.”
Patterson said the Twilighters are a rag-tag group, with some inexperienced players. He said they brought 16 players, so there wasn’t the opportunity for a number of substitutions. A rugby side is comprised of 15 players.
“Everyone played well,” said Patterson. “We had some great runs and our backs dominated. They had great games.”
Patterson said in addition to the old boys game, the team came up a day early and played golf at Myrtle Point Golf Club, and took in the Blackberry Festival.
“We’ve had a good weekend and the boys had a lot of fun,” said Patterson.
He said the Twilighters would be pleased to host an Otago side in Burnaby and an invitation will be provided.
Beardmore said he would like to take an Otago team to the Lower Mainland.
“In the past, this was an annual back and forth match, but it fell by the wayside because all our old boys went out at the same time, pretty much, and then COVID-19 came,” the Otago coach added. “It’s definitely something we’re looking at restarting.”
Beardmore said all in all, rugby was the winner on the day and now his whole focus is on the trip to Victoria when the real rugby game happens.
“I anticipated this week’s game being a very hard-nosed one,” said Beardmore.
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