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Road trips are usually a good time for players to bond and a lot of fun to boot. But this past Saturday, the trip home was a subdued one after loosing two important games to the Kamloops Raiders.

Most clubs have a big advantage on their home field. And those clubs like Kamloops, who have to travel long distances for half of their games, have an even bigger advantage at home. On Saturday, that advantage was felt as the Raiders fielded two large and fit sides. The Kamloops seconds ran up a 31 to nil half time lead before Langley shook off their bus legs. The lads seemed to wake up and started to play aggressive second half ball scoring two trys. The first by Ryan Yoemans, and the other by Aaron Antonio made the sore 31 to 10 but injuries started to crop up and the team played most of the second 40 minutes down by one player. Kamloops did score two more trys with one convert to make the final score 43 to 10.

WINGER AARON ANTONIO TRYING TO MAKE A MOVE ON TWO KAMLOOPS DEFENDERS, SCORED ONE TRY ON THE DAY.

CENTRE KOLBY BREZDEN FENDING OFF A KAMLOOPS DEFENDER

SECOND ROWER TRAVIS ROCKSON WINS A LINEOUT.

The first division game was an epic battle and went down to the final quarter of the game. Langley seemed to control much of the first half ball but with a strong wind in their face. Kamloops converted a penalty for 3 then Langley responded with several phases of rucks and mauls to score in the corner by winger Sean Messenger who also converted for a 7 to 3 lead. The game went back and forth with hard tackling on both sides until Kamloops scored an unconverted try just before the half to take a one-point lead.

WINGERS SEAN MESSENGER AND WADE DICKERSON TRYING TO STRIP THE BALL FROM A KAMLOOPS PLAYER.

TEAM CAPTAIN TAYLOR CROWLEY TRYHING TO BREAK A KAMLOOPS TACKLE.

With the wind now at their backs, Langley was looking at some strategic kicking and should have had the advantage pressuring Kamloops near the goal line. Messenger was good on a penalty in the 54th minute but Kamloops seemed to pick up steam and scored against the flow. Taking the ball on the restart, some suspect tackling let the ball go wide and 50 metres for the try and convert to retake the lead 15 to 10. Despite several inroads towards Kamloops goal, Langley was not able to score. Kamloops padded their lead with a penalty kick, then scored two trys, one stealing a set scrum on their own 5-metre line and taking the ball 95 yards for the major. This seemed to break the locals backs and desperation then entered the game. Kamloops took advantage of some sloppy play and with no time left on the clock scored the final points for a well-earned 30 to 10 victory. Langley will close out their regular season next Saturday at Hume Park in Coquitlam against the United RFC.

John Oliver Park in Delta was the venue for week 7 of the BC Men’s League against defending Div.1 and Div 2 champions Brit-Lions on Saturday.

The first game of the day featured the Brit-Lions Div.2 team that is leading the league with an undefeated scheduled dominating all challengers. Langley’s second div team has had good success and currently in third place was hoping to improve their standings found out why the Brits are at the top of the rankings.

Kolby – ready to flip a pass to Andy Maher for the first try of the game.

Andy Maher – Andy looking for space, scored one try on the day.

Langley faced a large and seasoned side that scored within minutes of the start of the game and continued to press and dominate. Their large mobile forwards tore holes through Langley’s defense and scored trys in abundance for a 44 to 0 half time lead and an embarrassing 68 to nil final score. This team will have to put this game behind them and ready for Kamloops next week. The defeat would not affect the team in playoff standing but every game is important for seeding this time of the year.

The first division team still struggling to clinch a playoff berth needs to win every game. The Brit-Lions clinched a 4th seed spot in the first half but have not been doing so well this half are trailing Langley in the standings.

A tough game with players being driven into the turf. No one was injured but lots of sore bodies after the match.

Div. 1 scrum half Wayne “Striver” Bremner had a strong game spoiling clean ball for his opponent scrum half.

On a great day for Rugby, the host team had the first chance to score on a penalty kick but a cross field wind spoiled the kick, Langley took control of the ball and for the next 35 minutes pressured the Lions inside of their own half. Centre Kolby Brezden broke tackles up the middle 20 metres out then flipped a pass to Andy Maher on his shoulder who burst the final 10 metres for the try. Sean Messenger converted for the 7 to nil lead.

From the restart, Langley brought the ball downfield near the Lions goal area. Stealing the ball from a set piece, scrum half Wayne Bremner spun the ball out wide and fullback Stu Morrison who came in to the back line to create an overlap went in for the try. Messengers convert bounced off the upright and the lead was 12 to nil going into the half.

The Brit-Lions picked up their game in the second half and came back with two trys one converted to tie up the match by the 65th minute. Two minutes of the restart Langley had regained the ball and driven inside the Lions 22 and won a penalty. Messenger was good from 19 metres out to regain the lead 15 to 12.

Wade Dickerson – gathering the ball from Kolby Brezden clinched the game for Langley with a try under the posts.

With time running out, both teams played at a frantic pace with tremendous tackling and the ball changing hands several times. With a few minutes remaining, Langley was on the attack when Kolby Brezden who was being tackled 10 metres from goal flipped the ball to Wade Dickerson who had looped from the wing on a called play slid in under the posts for the touchdown. Messenger converted and Langley held a 22 to 12 lead until referee Blake Lewis blew in full time.

Next Saturday Langley travels to Kamloops at the Exhibition grounds to play a tough home club. Kamloops is ahead of Langley in first division standings and a victory is essential. The first division team is starting to play more to the level we have been sued to seeing, and if they manage to qualify for a playoff spot, they have a good chance of making it to their third BC final in three years.

Langley completed a four game home stand Saturday by dispatching the Simon Fraser University Mountain Old Boys in both divisional games. SFU has been struggling this year finding themselves in the bottom third of the standings. Langley has been steadily improving over the past 4 weeks, the first team has gone undefeated, and the seconds dropped one match. As of Saturday, both teams are in a playoff contention but continuing to win games is essential to maintaining a playoff spot and hopefully improving their seeding.

Doug Morrison diving for the goal line in celebration to score his first try in the div 2 game.

Div 2 action 8th man Kyle Romogioli has turned into a try scoring machine went over for the tying points of the first half.

Saturday was a perfect day for rugby and the field was soft with good footing. The seconds started the day off but were struggling for the first 15 minutes. SFU quickly scored two trys, one converted to take a 12 to nil lead by the 12th minute. The lads seemed to be on their back foot for the entire first 15 minutes allowing SFU over the gain line and eventually trys were surrendered. The early SFU lead seemed to be a wake up call and the team responded with more aggressive play. The first points came from a Ryan Yoemans run setting up winger Noel Maher who turned on his jets and outran SFU defenders for 40 metres and the touchdown under the posts for an easy convert for Andrew Vaydo. Langley from that point on started to take over control of the game and in the final 10 minutes of the half tied the game with a try by 8th man Kyle Romogioli. Langley had other opportunities to score but was unable to get the ball over the goal line, and Vaydo had a penalty kick attempt from a wide angle but missed, the half time score tied at 12.

Ryan Yoemans had another strong performance, setting up one try and scoring his own to complete the days scoring.

Andy Maher opening the scoring for the first division team.

The second half saw Langley explode with offensive possession that resulted in 8 trys and 2 converts. Forward Dan Depadrina opened the scoring followed by standoff Patrick Vaydo, Dan Depadrina for his second, winger Doug Morrison for two in a row, prop Chris Moore on second effort in close, Noel Maher for his second and Ryan Yoemans first to complete the days points. Vaydo converted two more for a resounding 54 to 12 victory.

The first division game was no contest from the start. Langley controlled all facets of the match and ran up a 29 to nil half time lead with trys from Andy Maher, Taylor Crowley, Wade Dickerson, Frank Cole and Rich Pearce with two converts by Sean Messenger.

The second half Langley scored 5 additional trys, Taylor Crowley who had an exceptional game scored his second, Wayne Bremner from a 5 metre set, Crowley his third on the day and Dickerson for his second. Messenger converted two for a 56 to nil thumping.

First Div. captain Taylor Crowley flanked by Rich Pearce (right) make up two of the toughest small guys in rugby.

Flanker Taylor Crowley diving for the touchdown on his first of three trys on the day.

Langley’s two smallest players forwards Rich Pearce and Taylor Crowley once again had great games. Crowley scoring a hat trick and a phenomenal defensive effort. Every time these players had the ball they were running at pace punishing the opponents or first to breakdowns stealing the ball.

Langley is on the road the next three weeks. March 29th the teams will be playing the Brit-Lions at John Oliver Park in South Delta. The Brits second team will be a tough game currently in second place and their firsts have had some tough luck in the second half after finishing the first half in second place overall will still be a tough opponent. Langley and the Brit-Lions have split the past two years Provincial Championships so there is a lot of pride on the line. Kickoffs are 1 pm for the seconds and 2:30 pm for the firsts.

The Langley Rugby Club celebrated St Patrick’s Day Saturday wearing their usual green jerseys sent the Surrey Beavers back to the Beaver Pond in Cloverdale winless. With a good turnout of alumni and supporters wearing green and many sporting old jerseys as far back as the 70’s cheered on the lads.

Aaron Antonio Div 2 - Aaron breaking down the wing for his first try of two on the day.

Ryan Yoemans Div 2 - Yoemans making a move had a strong game at fullback scored the second try of the game.

The second division side opened the day’s games putting on a display of mud bowl rugby and bit of luck of the Irish despite heavy rain and a muddy field. The seconds overrun the Beavers with 54 unanswered points and controlled most of the ball possession and field position despite conditions kept errors to a minimum.

Patrick Vaydo opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 4th minute followed by trys from Aaron Antonio, Ryan Yoemans, Steve Marce and Kyle Romogioli. Vaydo was good on one convert for the 25-point lead at the break.

Kyle Romogioli Div 2 – Romo has been punishing defenders all year with his hard running and tackling scored the hat trick.

Taylor Connell Div 1 – Taylor has been a force on the first division team joining the side late last year. Connell scored the final try of the game to clinch the match

The second half, Antonio scored his second try, followed by Romogioli for two and Dan Depadrina for 2 trys. Vaydo converted 1 for 29-second half points and a 54 points to nil victory.

Surrey is a club that is improving every year with a youthful side and they have the ability to surprise an overconfident team on the day. Saturday was almost one of those days. With weather conditions leaving the pitch a slippery mess, Langley despite having much of the play and ball possession did not find the opponents rolling over in defeat. The start of the game had Surrey going up 3 to nil after Sean Messenger missed an early attempt at goal, but Messenger made up for the early slip up with a try down the wing and two penalty kicks for 11 points and the lead at half time.

Rich Pearce Div 1 – Pearce is one of the hardest players on the club shows his determination going into contact with the ball.

Andy Maher Div. 1 – trying to make yards never attempts to avoid contact punishes his defenders with a shoulder or straight-arm.

Surrey roared out of the second half-restart buy scoring a try and convert to cut Langley’s lead to 1 point. Despite Langley regaining most of the momentum, Surrey played brilliant defense and kept Langley off the scoreboard until the final 10 minutes of the game. Try’s by lock Jon Bright and flanker Taylor Connell with converts by Messenger capped off the days scoring for a 22 to 10 victory. The firsts record is at 3 and 3, while the seconds improve to 4 and 2. Both teams urgently need to continue winning if there is to be any hope of qualifying for post-season action. Next week, the SFU Mountain Old Boys visit for the final home league game of the season before the club completes the schedule with three road games.

The Piggies came to town, sporting an undefeated first division side and a second division team with only one defeat. Both Langley sides have struggled; the seconds having the better record but suffering from the injury depleted first side moving members up and down to fill the gaps. The club is finally seeing several of our injured troops come back. Saturday saw two more players return, Prop Robbie Hayes who has been sidelined for several months and forward Rich Pearce who had to leave the Abby game three weeks past suited up for the seconds.

DIV 1-FRANK COLE

Div 1-Lineout battle

The first division game started like so many other this season falling behind our opponents early then having to fight back. The Piggies scored in the 5th and 23rd minute both times using the width of the field and their speedy wingers. Langley did have opportunities but were turned back by a large and hard Cowichan defense. The first half ended with Cowichan in a 12 to nil lead and Langley taking their favorite end of the field going downhill. After taking control of the ball after the restart, Langley made several inroads into the Piggies 22 but were turned back until a long series of phases finally paid off going out wide to the wing and young Sean Messenger outran his defender for a touchdown. Messenger missed his convert attempt and the Piggies lead was cut to 7 points. For the next several minutes, the ball was moved in the centre of the field before the Piggies were able to move the ball close to Langley’s goal, forming a maul, the ball was driven over the goal line and touched down to retake the 12 point lead.

Div 1-Messenger try

Div 1-Gary Ewasiuk

Langley never let up and started to pick up momentum. If it were not for a great Cowichan defense, Langley would have scored on several occasions. In the 62nd minute, Langley won a penalty and Messenger was good on a 30-metre attempt to make the score 17 to 8. Just as it seemed Langley had a chance to chip away at the Piggies lead, Cowichan was awarded a penalty inside Langley’s 22 and regained their 17 point lead, with 12 minutes remaining in the game. Some substitutions had to be made and these players had an instant impact on the game. Rich Pearce and Robbie Hayes entered the game and started to hit the rucks with great intensity. The ball started to bounce for Langley and the first was a Frank Cole try from 20 metres out after the ball was knocked loose from a hard tackle. Messenger converted to make the score 20 to 15.

On the restart, Langley slowly moved the ball down field pinning Cowichan inside there 22. Cowichan had possession and passed the ball into their backs but once again after hard contact coughed the ball, Cole again snapped up the ball from 30 metres and broke away form Cowichan tacklers for a try under the posts to tie the game. Messenger was good on the convert to take the lead and kill the final 8 minutes for the victory.

Div 2-Yoemans try

DIV 2-PEARCE

Cowichan’s second division team was youthful and full of large players have had Langley’s number the past couple of years. Langley opened the scoring in the 6th minute when winger Noel Maher chased a kick into the corner from Mike Roberts. Cowichan appeared to get to the ball however the defender under pressure fumbled the ball and Maher touched it down first for the score. The celebrations were short lived when Cowichan ran off the next two tries with converts to take a 14 to 5 half time lead. The day did not get better for a young Langley side. Cowichan scored 3 minutes from the restart before Langley was able to put one over the goal line for them selves when winger Aaron Antonio out races his marks for a try in the corner. Cowichan continued to score with two more trys one converted for a 33 to 10 lead. Ryan Yoemans completed all scoring when he broke for the goal, tackled as he reached the goal line, Yoemans managed to touch the ball down for the try on his second movement. The convert was good by Andrew Vaydo and score seemed a bit more respectable 33 to 17 for Cowichan.

Langley hosts Surrey Beavers next Saturday, and the club will be celebrating Alumni and Supporters day. All past members, social and players as well as our many supporters are asked to come out, wear green and cheer on Langley.