Greetings from the Shores of Burnaby Lake.
One more sleep and we will be converging on the grounds of Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford, for the innaugural International Sevens Tournament. This will be the first time International Teams will lock horns with Domestic Clubs to see who has more snort. Kenya, Canada and the West Indies are the International Sides playing in this tournament and will be up against top domestic Clubs such as hosts Abbotsford, Bayside and Burnaby Lake Lighthouse. There are teams from our neighbors down south here as well as we all try and win the coveted almighty buck on offer.
But more importantly, it is a chance to play against some big names in sevens rugby.
Burnaby Lake has been quietly preparing for this under the tutelage of duo-international Senirusi(Bruce) Rauqe, their Captain. Things were clicking well during their last run on Thursday; Friday afternoon was a chance to meet up for a game of 'touch' rugby with their neighbors, the Pacific Islanders, who will be playing at the Domestic Tournament.
There is really nothing more to say at this point except to wake up in the morning and stroll over to Rotary Stadium for a day full of Sevens Rugby
!!K A U K A U W A!!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Kenyans Are Coming
Mark this date on your Rugby Calendar..........July 25th!!!
Tell the girlfriend/wife you're helping your Boss move and it will take all day
Tell the boyfriend/husband you need to go comfort an old girlfriend who's feeling down - and won't be back till Sunday morning.
Tell the Boss you're sick, but because you've run out of sick days, you're calling in Dead.
But if all the abovementioned humanoids play or like Rugby....then drag their carcasses over to Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford for a day full of exciting Sevens Rugby!!! Just say "You're coming with me so let's go"
The occasion is the first ever International Sevens Tournament involving both International Teams and Domestic Clubs. Teams from Kenya, West Indies, Canada Select, the Pacific Islanders are just some of the teams with speed to burn and talent to showcase. The Kenyans alone should be worth the price of two tickets.
Of course the main target on the local scene lately has been our beloved BURNABY LAKE LIGHTHOUSE!!....THEY SHOULD BE WORTH FOUR TICKETS!!
They have only won the two tournaments they've entered - Rowers and SFU Sevens.
The President of the Abbotsford International sevens had watched two games at SFU and was so impressed with the boys' play he has called to confirm that we will be playing on the International Tournament instead of the Domestic version.
What this means is we will be running against the long-legged Kenyans who, after watching some of the World series sevens tournaments they've played in, I'm sure run faster than gazelles. No worries, we have coyotes in Burnaby that can catch them!!At least a couple of them have legs longer than the Kenyans.
.JPG)
The Team is preparing well. Captain Bruce Rauqe has been running them hard. Focus this week has been on fitness and next week they will go through ball handling and the different phases of the game. Some of the boys are tied up with work but have promised to do fitness work on their own.
Manager has been encouraging those that grace the shores of the lake on Tuesdays and Thursdays to join in on their practice so he can pick the best Twelve for the tournament. It is a biggie and we need the best coyotes available to catch the gazelles of Kenya and the Canadian Wild Geese and whatever birds, critters animals - either with four or two legs - and bring the spoils to the shores of Burnaby Lake!!
So, if your Partner or Boss likes Rugby bring them along. If they don't, use the excuses mentioned above.
July 25th is to be marked on the Calendar and excuses need to be divised and planned now!!
KAUKAUWA!!!
Tell the girlfriend/wife you're helping your Boss move and it will take all day
Tell the boyfriend/husband you need to go comfort an old girlfriend who's feeling down - and won't be back till Sunday morning.
Tell the Boss you're sick, but because you've run out of sick days, you're calling in Dead.
But if all the abovementioned humanoids play or like Rugby....then drag their carcasses over to Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford for a day full of exciting Sevens Rugby!!! Just say "You're coming with me so let's go"
The occasion is the first ever International Sevens Tournament involving both International Teams and Domestic Clubs. Teams from Kenya, West Indies, Canada Select, the Pacific Islanders are just some of the teams with speed to burn and talent to showcase. The Kenyans alone should be worth the price of two tickets.
Of course the main target on the local scene lately has been our beloved BURNABY LAKE LIGHTHOUSE!!....THEY SHOULD BE WORTH FOUR TICKETS!!
They have only won the two tournaments they've entered - Rowers and SFU Sevens.
The President of the Abbotsford International sevens had watched two games at SFU and was so impressed with the boys' play he has called to confirm that we will be playing on the International Tournament instead of the Domestic version.
What this means is we will be running against the long-legged Kenyans who, after watching some of the World series sevens tournaments they've played in, I'm sure run faster than gazelles. No worries, we have coyotes in Burnaby that can catch them!!At least a couple of them have legs longer than the Kenyans.
.JPG)
The Team is preparing well. Captain Bruce Rauqe has been running them hard. Focus this week has been on fitness and next week they will go through ball handling and the different phases of the game. Some of the boys are tied up with work but have promised to do fitness work on their own.
Manager has been encouraging those that grace the shores of the lake on Tuesdays and Thursdays to join in on their practice so he can pick the best Twelve for the tournament. It is a biggie and we need the best coyotes available to catch the gazelles of Kenya and the Canadian Wild Geese and whatever birds, critters animals - either with four or two legs - and bring the spoils to the shores of Burnaby Lake!!
So, if your Partner or Boss likes Rugby bring them along. If they don't, use the excuses mentioned above.
July 25th is to be marked on the Calendar and excuses need to be divised and planned now!!
KAUKAUWA!!!
Monday, July 6, 2009
We will We will ROCK YOU!!!...............
The weekend has come and gone, I hope that nobody has lost a few days of their lives, what with all the weddings and partying in Kamloops!!! At least somebody was having fun. Out here on the coast, we were up at Burnaby Mountain having a picnic - with some Sevens Rugby thrown in for good measure. It was the 27th Annual SFU Sevens Tournament, and what a day it was. Lots of solid Rugby hits, nailbiting moments and just sheer jubilation as the Burnaby Lake Lighthouse Sevens Team was crowned champion for the second time in as many tournaments. YES!!!
The day started with a win over arch-rival Youngbucks, followed by a nailbiting nervous game against the Brit-Lions. I think the boys underestimated the Brit-Lions and for a while there were some very tense and anxious looks on the faces of their strong fanbase watching from the sidelines. In the end, it was another win to the Lighthouse. The boys, for some reason, were playing immediately after the ladies from Seattle who called themselves the MUDHENS. They also decided to set up camp right next to the Lighthouse Tent and as soon as they finished their game, they would come by and said to the boys "we won, now it's your turn". By some luck of the draw, the schedule was like this until the final game. We played right after them - a good omen I think - so it was agreed that if we're lucky enough to be invited to next years SFU sevens again, we will set up camp right next to each other again.
After the game against Scribes, which was marred by very very poor refereeing, we found out that we will be playing against the Brit-Lions again in the semis. They were dispatched a lot quicker this time on our way to the finals- and another meeting with the Youngbucks, who took care of the LOMAS in the other semi.
After some words of encouragement from the MUDHENS, who had just won their finals, the boys took the fileld for the last time.
Midway through the first half, the Youngbucks were leading 15 - 0. Not a very good way to start the final but a look of calmness and quiet determination can be seen on the Captain's face as he jumped unassisted to steal a lineout and trotted upfield like a pony possesed before unloading to Asesela Vunituraga who ran through a couple of Youngbucks Jonah Lomu Style. After receiving the RED Card from the same referee at the Rowers Sevens, Sela was on his best behaviour up at the mountain. He took his aggresive style to the opposition by hitting them hard in tackles. At least one player from all the teams they played was given the HIT. It was crunching and loud, the loudest of which was the hit on one of the youngbucks backline boys. There was a chorous of awwwe from the sideline all the way to the beer garden as if they had been hit themselves. Poor guy was driven back at least five metres. Sela quickly got up and drove the other guy that got the ball out of touch!! It was a thing of beauty!!
Halftime score was 15-12 and after some longstriding runs from captain Bruce Rauqe, who ran like he was being chased all day by a woman in a long hat riding a broom, the final score came in our favour 22-12. Bruce scored 8 tries as he led the boys in Black & White to the final victory. They are now 2-0 in the tournaments they've entered so far. Not bad for a bunch of guys put together through the love of the game and are now having so much fun running around on the shores of Burnaby Lake!!
Next up is Abbotsford.
KAUKAUWA!!!
The day started with a win over arch-rival Youngbucks, followed by a nailbiting nervous game against the Brit-Lions. I think the boys underestimated the Brit-Lions and for a while there were some very tense and anxious looks on the faces of their strong fanbase watching from the sidelines. In the end, it was another win to the Lighthouse. The boys, for some reason, were playing immediately after the ladies from Seattle who called themselves the MUDHENS. They also decided to set up camp right next to the Lighthouse Tent and as soon as they finished their game, they would come by and said to the boys "we won, now it's your turn". By some luck of the draw, the schedule was like this until the final game. We played right after them - a good omen I think - so it was agreed that if we're lucky enough to be invited to next years SFU sevens again, we will set up camp right next to each other again.
After the game against Scribes, which was marred by very very poor refereeing, we found out that we will be playing against the Brit-Lions again in the semis. They were dispatched a lot quicker this time on our way to the finals- and another meeting with the Youngbucks, who took care of the LOMAS in the other semi.
After some words of encouragement from the MUDHENS, who had just won their finals, the boys took the fileld for the last time.
Midway through the first half, the Youngbucks were leading 15 - 0. Not a very good way to start the final but a look of calmness and quiet determination can be seen on the Captain's face as he jumped unassisted to steal a lineout and trotted upfield like a pony possesed before unloading to Asesela Vunituraga who ran through a couple of Youngbucks Jonah Lomu Style. After receiving the RED Card from the same referee at the Rowers Sevens, Sela was on his best behaviour up at the mountain. He took his aggresive style to the opposition by hitting them hard in tackles. At least one player from all the teams they played was given the HIT. It was crunching and loud, the loudest of which was the hit on one of the youngbucks backline boys. There was a chorous of awwwe from the sideline all the way to the beer garden as if they had been hit themselves. Poor guy was driven back at least five metres. Sela quickly got up and drove the other guy that got the ball out of touch!! It was a thing of beauty!!
Halftime score was 15-12 and after some longstriding runs from captain Bruce Rauqe, who ran like he was being chased all day by a woman in a long hat riding a broom, the final score came in our favour 22-12. Bruce scored 8 tries as he led the boys in Black & White to the final victory. They are now 2-0 in the tournaments they've entered so far. Not bad for a bunch of guys put together through the love of the game and are now having so much fun running around on the shores of Burnaby Lake!!
Next up is Abbotsford.
KAUKAUWA!!!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Burnaby Mountain Beckons
Well, two more sleeps and we will be heading up the hill to Burnaby Mountain for the SFU RFC International Sevens. Can't wait!!!
After a two week layoff, it is time to put the boots back on, say goodbye to the girlfriend for a few hours and go do what rugby boys do on a Saturday - play some rugby. Sevens rugby!!
Practice was tight on Tuesday for the BLRC Lighthouse Team, but it came together on Thursday on the final run before kick-off. They're blooding in a few new faces as some of the suspected criminals from the previous week are attending the wedding of Katie Wells and the short Ausie with torn/worn runners - in Kamloops!! Congratulations you two!!
A total of 23 teams are taking part this year, and it should be fun checking out the opposition during pool play - whether your team is on the Premier, Social or women's division
That's right, we have women on this one showing off their moves and tackles.
Premier Mens should provide some hard competitive games as the Young Bucks would like to dethrone Burnaby Lake after their loss in the Rowers Sevens. Brit Lions have some Fijian boys on their squad so match No.21, at 12.20pm should provide some hard tackles and lots of flair. They'll be pitting their talents and experience against the boys in Barbarian Colors from Burnaby Lake.
Meralomas and the Scribblers should not be taken lightly either, they could be the darkhorses of this one. Meralomas have produced some exciting wins in the past!! As always in sevens, one mistake can take you out of the game completely, as Burnaby Lake displayed so well in the Rowers Final against Lionheart Selects. Being crowned champions in that tournament has put a big BULLS EYE on their foreheads as they are now the team to beat. But they have been preparing well so Bring It ON!!
KAUKAUWA!!
After a two week layoff, it is time to put the boots back on, say goodbye to the girlfriend for a few hours and go do what rugby boys do on a Saturday - play some rugby. Sevens rugby!!
Practice was tight on Tuesday for the BLRC Lighthouse Team, but it came together on Thursday on the final run before kick-off. They're blooding in a few new faces as some of the suspected criminals from the previous week are attending the wedding of Katie Wells and the short Ausie with torn/worn runners - in Kamloops!! Congratulations you two!!
A total of 23 teams are taking part this year, and it should be fun checking out the opposition during pool play - whether your team is on the Premier, Social or women's division
That's right, we have women on this one showing off their moves and tackles.
Premier Mens should provide some hard competitive games as the Young Bucks would like to dethrone Burnaby Lake after their loss in the Rowers Sevens. Brit Lions have some Fijian boys on their squad so match No.21, at 12.20pm should provide some hard tackles and lots of flair. They'll be pitting their talents and experience against the boys in Barbarian Colors from Burnaby Lake.
Meralomas and the Scribblers should not be taken lightly either, they could be the darkhorses of this one. Meralomas have produced some exciting wins in the past!! As always in sevens, one mistake can take you out of the game completely, as Burnaby Lake displayed so well in the Rowers Final against Lionheart Selects. Being crowned champions in that tournament has put a big BULLS EYE on their foreheads as they are now the team to beat. But they have been preparing well so Bring It ON!!
KAUKAUWA!!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Burnaby Lake Rugby Storms Williams Lake
A warning to Mothers and Fathers in Williams Lake.
Lock your sons and daughters in the house this weekend!!!
Williams Lake will be maulled and rucked by the pink-kitted Rugby boys and gals of Burnaby Lake as they plan on winning a buckle on this trip. Apparently, this ten-a-side tournament will be the action of the weekend and I hear that teams are coming from Alberta as well just to see the boys in pink!! They have decided to go in as Hawaiian Hula Boys, complete with frangipani flowers burned sublimatedly on their jerseys with wierd id's on their backs just to give the refs a headache. Some rookies, I'm told, will be wearing snockles/goggles throughout the day, even when playing. I know a couple of girls will be running around in nothing but their Fijian 'Sulus'. This should be interesting.
There is really not much to write about right now because the itinerary, schedules and activities of the weekend is being kept on a 'need to understand' basis for now.
We hope to share them with you when they return next week - hopefully with everything still attached. AND a buckle!!
In any case, mothers hide your sons and daughters!!!
Lock your sons and daughters in the house this weekend!!!
Williams Lake will be maulled and rucked by the pink-kitted Rugby boys and gals of Burnaby Lake as they plan on winning a buckle on this trip. Apparently, this ten-a-side tournament will be the action of the weekend and I hear that teams are coming from Alberta as well just to see the boys in pink!! They have decided to go in as Hawaiian Hula Boys, complete with frangipani flowers burned sublimatedly on their jerseys with wierd id's on their backs just to give the refs a headache. Some rookies, I'm told, will be wearing snockles/goggles throughout the day, even when playing. I know a couple of girls will be running around in nothing but their Fijian 'Sulus'. This should be interesting.
There is really not much to write about right now because the itinerary, schedules and activities of the weekend is being kept on a 'need to understand' basis for now.
We hope to share them with you when they return next week - hopefully with everything still attached. AND a buckle!!
In any case, mothers hide your sons and daughters!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
SFU Sevens On The Horizon
After the exitement of the Vancouver Rowing Club Sevens, I need a fix!!!
The BLRC Lighthouse Sevens Team took it easy the last few days to recover and let the body heal after our first tournament and win in the series. Practice starts again on Thursday in preparation for the next one - SFU Sevens.
I'm told there are 22 teams so far, so this should be a good test for us.
Some of our teammates will be attending a wedding that weekend so it gives the rest of us an opportunity to prove we can play this game too. Those that did not play much last week will be gunning for playing time on this one. Also, a few on the squad were playing U20 against Fraser Valley last week too, so they'll be eager to get on the field as well. Admir,Doug Breadon and Brendon Fairs should all be available and it will be exciting to see them play. Don't know if they can beat oldhorse Bruce Rauqe, who at 35 appears to still have the speed of a gazelle!!
He proved that on Saturday by running around his opponents on three occasions to score.
A week and a half to the next one and serious practice starts Thursday!!
!!K A U K A U W A!!
The BLRC Lighthouse Sevens Team took it easy the last few days to recover and let the body heal after our first tournament and win in the series. Practice starts again on Thursday in preparation for the next one - SFU Sevens.
I'm told there are 22 teams so far, so this should be a good test for us.
Some of our teammates will be attending a wedding that weekend so it gives the rest of us an opportunity to prove we can play this game too. Those that did not play much last week will be gunning for playing time on this one. Also, a few on the squad were playing U20 against Fraser Valley last week too, so they'll be eager to get on the field as well. Admir,Doug Breadon and Brendon Fairs should all be available and it will be exciting to see them play. Don't know if they can beat oldhorse Bruce Rauqe, who at 35 appears to still have the speed of a gazelle!!
He proved that on Saturday by running around his opponents on three occasions to score.
A week and a half to the next one and serious practice starts Thursday!!
!!K A U K A U W A!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Burnaby Lake Wins Rowers Invitational Sevens
.JPG)
Saturday June 20th marked the begining of the exciting BC Summer Sevens Series.
The Vancouver Rowing Club hosted six teams at Brocton Oval to kick off the sevens season. The day started off on a wet note, with the rain softening up the field before the tournament started. The sun came through when the Pacific Islanders and Scribes kicked off.
Then it was the Burnaby Lake Lighthouse against the Wizards.
Sanaila Dawai opened the scoring for the Lighthouse and they went on to win the game comfortably. The second game - against hot favourites Lionheart Selects, which had big sevens name in BC on their squad did not go well as the boys were left playing with only 5 players a few minutes in. This was after a little bit of 'How's Your Father' went on among the players, which resulted in one of the twins on the Team given his marching orders and the other half given a yellow for his indescretion. Needless to say the boys lost!!
They had to beat Scribes - again under controversial circumstances, to get back into the main competition. The match official(he reffed the 'RED CARD' game as well)declared Scribes had won it. Lighthouse's coach said his team won by two points and he has the Video to prove it. After calculating his scribbles, the ref said it was a tie game and they need to play 'sudden death'
Twenty seconds in, Iokimi Vunituraga, the taller and skinnier half of the Towers Twin,touched down after a receiving a well timed pass from Sanaila Dawai, who was all over the field during the tournament. This meant that they will again face the Lionheart Selects in the Finals. After what happened in Pool Play, this was a final not to be missed as the boys in black & white were eager to make ammends.
Sanaila Dawai started the scoring again and when it was all over, Lighthouse had come out on top 31-19 to take the title and a sweet revenge.
This tournament was also an opportunity for the team to show what they had been learning during the last five weeks of training. A few of them showed up and did really well: Sanaila scored a lot and often, Bruce led by example and was always encouraging the new boys. His leadership kept the boys calm under pressure. Corey Turkington gelled really well with whomever he had on the field and he can be a good leader if given the opportunity. But the find of the tournament for BLRC Lighthouse had to be AARON GODDARD. He did not play much but when he did, he took it to the opposition!! And boy did he ram those Lionhearts at will!! The try of the tournament belonged to him when he sold the biggest dummy of the day to score close to the post. To top it off.....he has a ton of KAUKAUWA
A good win for the Burnaby Lake Lighthouse and they look forward to the next one in two weeks. SFU Sevens in calling - July 4th.
K A U K A U W A!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)