With last year’s league finalists the Seattle Saracens as the opposition, the Burnaby Lake Rugby Club’s premier women’s team entered Saturday’s tilt with some question marks.
Have they made strides to improve on last year’s underwhelming results? Could they stop Seattle’s outside game, which played havoc with the defence last season? And were they capable of settling down for a home opener, with a healthy lineup?
The end results proved to be yes, yes and yes.
Burnaby Lake shook off an early deficit to bowl over Seattle 43-27 in premier women’s play, doing something they were unable to do last season.
And, after an 0-13 year, it felt good to get that long-awaited win out of the way.
Burnaby trailed 15-5 in the first half as the visitors capitalized on a couple of turnovers, but began to scratch back when Iona Schamberger dove across the line for a late score.
In the second half, the momentum shifted to the inside as Burnaby’s forwards started to free-wheel. Gabby Hindley and Jessica Harvey both counted tries with up-the-middle runs, while Camilla Maslo went outside on two drives, giving the Lakers the lead.
A two-yard push by Carly Walker and a final try by Gen Gratton rounded out the offence for Burnaby.
Turning in standout efforts from the back row were Sonya Foulds, who scored the team’s opening try off a set-up from Katie Grudzinski, and Hindley. Also performing well was Aly Govorchin, who shifted from the front row with the addition of Walker, to No. 12.
Burnaby Lake now looks for its second victory when they visit the Wanderers in Oak Bay.
In men’s premier play, James Reekie’s try and conversion broke a 14-14 tie and powered the Burnaby Lake men’s premier side past Seattle 52-19 on Saturday.
Despite the final margin, it was touch-and-go in the first half. Dan Josok and Jeke Gotegote gave Burnaby an early lead but Seattle drove back with a pair of tries to pull even.
That’s when Reekie restored a lead, but the visitors did get within two points before the Laker forwards turned it on.
Racking up second half tries were Darren McRory, Cody Rockson and Josok.
The win moves Burnaby to 2-0, with a game in Victoria against James Bay their next test.
