A tale of one TOWN!
TMR I – 26 vs. SAB -17 - July 8th 2006
MJ Blais – 2 tries, Karine 1 try, Zuss 1 try, 3 conversions

A sunny Saturday (a great sign this season as you know faithful readers) and a calm TMR team took to the field at the Rec center as we headed into the second game of the home and home series with perennial powerhouse Ste. Anne’s.  A win would put us atop the standings for the first time in a long time in the FRQ and we were looking forward to another great showdown.

Our line-up has not been the same in 2 consecutive games yet this season and this game was no exception with players all over the place especially in the backs with injuries relegating a couple of key players to the sidelines.  There were also a few more butterflies this game as the SAB line-up was much improved since the last game.  So let’s get to the good stuff shall we!

MJ “who can stop her” Blais opened the scoring in TMR’s favour after a slicing run up the middle, the conversion was missed and we were up 5-0.  It did not take long for SAB to come storming back with 5 points of their own, we now had ourselves a tie game at about 20 minutes in.  There was no scoring for a long while until Jen “don’t kick to me – or else you’ll pay” Rosenbaum put Karine “la tortue” Lamontagne off to the races after drawing her defender.  TMR en top shape heading into the half up 12-5.

A few subs and swaps were made at half and that feeling of calmness took over again, no bitching, no whining just plain resolve and the drive to get this win under our belts.  This time SAB took the momentum  out of our sails and scored a quick one on one of their many overlapping attacks.  The kick was missed.  We were up 2.  Inexplicably MJ got her hands on the ball and made a break for the try line, as surprised as she was SAB was even more surprised, 2 tries on the day for our tackling machine and Zuss sunk the kick. 19-10.  We spent the next 15 minutes on our heels under the intense pressure of the SAB offense, our goal line stance was formidable and what a relief when Robin “the hunter” Hunter touched a loose ball down in goal after a block.  We were still in it!  Under the immense pressure we conceded a try in the corner to SAB and they converted it, we were only up by 2 points with 7 minutes to go.

The drama: MJ and Karine both leave the field on the same phase of play, injured.  SHIT!  Our subs came on and played out of their skins to ensure a W in the column for the Town.

As we headed up to the line each Townie knew that a win was within grasp and  even though the momentum was against us we took care of our business on the kickoff.  A clean ball won by the forwards followed by a pass out to Julianne “the clutch” Zussman who sold the biggest dummy of her life and was off to the races.  After a dazzling set of moves to put the SAB fullback on her heels she touched the ball down under the posts and converted her own try to bring TMR up to 26 points on the day.  A couple of phases later the whistle blew, another victory for TMR.

Player of the game: Zuss.  She lead us in her first start for us at fly half for the Town to a huge victory.  Her decision-making and contribution this season have been phenomenal and maybe we will have a woman claim back the Chip Drury this season!  Thank you and good luck in Ottawa!

This was a Quebec clash to remember – for TMR anyway as we headed to Westwood for the fist game of the season against the ever present and powerful Montreal Barbarians.  We warmed up calmly and we talked to each other calmly and we stepped on the field calmly and we let them score 24 points on us calmly.  But we also did something else calmly – fight our way back from a 24 point deficit to beat them!

Their tries were all solid push-overs or drives off of their line-outs defended valiantly by our forwards but unfortunately the bigger team prevailed.  With about 10 minutes to go in the first half Julianne “the flash” Zussman made a terrific break and put on a dazzling show beating the very experienced Barbs fullback at a footrace.  We calmly started believing in ourselves; without it needing to be said funnily enough.  Another few minutes of intense pressure and a great tight play by the forwards led us to the 5 meter line where the Barbs’ infringement led MJ “heads up” Blais to take a quick penalty and touch it down in the corner, a great play and a half time whistle with the momentum having seriously shifted in a big way in our favour!

We headed out after the half time whistle believing that we could not only put up 12 more points to tie the game but go on to win.  We did.  With great reading of the field by Shelly “run the show” Carpenter teamed with extremely quick ball from Robin “#9” Hunter we tied the game in the first 15 minutes and now ladies and gentleman we had a battle going on.  After the game was tied there seemed to be a lull for a while.  Back and forth play by both teams and great defensive organization by both teams lead to a stalemate for 15 minutes until the Barbs pushed us down the field and scored in the corner, the conversion was missed and we were down by 5.

8 minutes – our comeback, we couldn’t let it go! So we didn’t and the following drama developed.  It looked a sure-fire clearance kick was made by the Barbs, not so it was blocked.  Then a knock-on by us in the centers, Barbs scrum back-row play defended like a true hero by Cathy “don’t even think of going blind” Nichols.  4 minutes to go, Carpenter goes down with a neck injury – HOLY SHIT!  Zuss moves in to 10, Karine in to the centers and Izzy on the wing.  Tight play by the forwards ball out to Zussman running sideways opening up a gap for herself beating the fullback and scoring to tie the game.  The kick – 45 seconds left in the game.  Zussman sinks it, we are up by 2 – everyone on edge we set up to receive the kick.  BONES BLOW THE WHISTLE ALREADY!!!!  Barbs kick-off the pressure is on a mistake could lose us this game we worked so hard for. 

The kick – a shank!  Game over TMR wins!

Player of the game: Robin Hunter, who stepped in to #9 and played like it was her job.  A fantastic game, great delivery and communication not to mention great tackling and defensive organization!  Congrats. 

What a great game TOWN!  Tout un fucking match!

It is all true boys and girls a scoreless tie and plenty to be proud of.  We journeyed to Parc Laurier to take on RCM in the first of a two-game regular season  series between the well established Montreal clubs. 

TMR definitely came out strong with a very youthful line-up (save Amy ‘bleeds TMR’ Buckland – but we need some experience!) that leaves at least this keen observer excited for the future.  We punched the ball up in the back line and kept the ball alive in contact by setting up clean rucks for Meghan “steady hands” White to distribute the ball.

Then momentum seemed to be stolen from us as the scrum became not only this referee’s focus but also the main cause for concern on this balmy Montreal day.  Every call possible was made at the scrums, penalties and free kicks were rampant and with this tempers began to flare with even the most docile players

Moment of the game: Leigh “level headed” Garland; one woman, one war cry!  Stay tuned for the women’s I team returning to the province to take on the Montreal Irish; new league members.  TCB!

Our home opener did not prove to be very successful as the Montreal Irish headed to the TMR Rec center for the first time in 2006.  There were moments of brilliance but many more mistakes as the final outcome was in favour of the visiting team.  They struck first putting the ball down and missing their conversion.  This was followed by another try for the opposition, and well earned with a hard-hitting pack and a back line with quite a bit of pace.  TMR then marched down the field and was awarded a penalty that Zuss converted which brought us to within a try.  About five minutes later Shelly touched one down with that change of pace that all 10s dream of possessing.

All the while TMR’s brilliance was shining through sporadically with incredibly aggressive running by MJ teamed with Carrie’s well-timed and executed trails our forwards were really stealing the show for a while.  Not to mention Cathy’s bone crunching tackles and Amy’s defense of the post all leading to the end of the half with TMR about to score and the momentum shifting.

Half-time was not good to us as we came out flat and the Irish did not, a few costly mistakes by TMR lead to a try in the corner by a very fired up Irish squad.  It was looking as the Irish were pulling away as they put another one down and TMR’s offence was seriously stifled.  We ended the game with a well-executed try off a penalty that was swung out to the backs and touched down by Susy in the corner.

Woman of the match honours go out to Susy Bienstock in her first game back!  Although she almost won a very different award for the shank of a lifetime, she quickly redeemed herself with a hard running try put down in the corner.  Welcome back!

Another weekend in Ottawa and another disappointing result to think about on the way home along both the 416 & 17.  Granted there were new players in the scrum and half a new backline but that was not what the problem was; we were not outmatched person to person against this newly improved Banshees squad.

The moments of brilliance were few and far between and are actually quite difficult to come up with.  That says a lot for the type of game we played.

Special moments included Shelly “lead foot” Carpenter returning a pass to Joce “innocent bystander” Barrieau with her foot, in the head.  Thanks for that one…As well as Cathy ‘Da Prez’ Nichols’s ability to make 6000 tackles in one game, maybe that can explain that chaffing.  Punishers Leigh and Carrie also did their part making big hits in the backfield.  The best half time observation definitely goes to Karine, j’attend du bon ballroom la prochaine fois que je te vois J

What the next half of the season comes down to folks:

Get to practice – find it in yourself to work hard.

We have a long season ahead of us if we choose to accept this and Townies I forcibly suggest we do not accept it!

Our little troop of 12 made it to the Irish field, most of us without getting lost, and we were ready to play despite out low numbers.  As it turned out they were only 14, so things weren’t as bad as we originally thought.

It didn’t take long for the Irish to figure out where the gaps were and so they started their parade of tries.  We didn’t give up, our tackling was good,and so was our communication, it didn't look so bad. We managed to have 2-3 well executed phases of good rugby at times.

Half time came around and it was only 20-0 against us.  We got our second wind and kept up the great tackling and the team seemed to come together.  Forwards were rucking and mauling and we send it out wide so the backs could go for a run.  And I must congratulate the backs on their fantastic hands despite the crappy weather.  Alas our efforts, though well intentioned, were not enough and we lost 40-0.

The trip up the 417 was a long one for most and made even longer by the game that ensued.  The game saw our talented new front row Jackie Rhodes go down with a knee injury within the first 5 minutes.  75 minutes left to go and we have 14 players.  All things considered there was a pretty good fight going on for the first 25 minutes, taking advantage of many Irish penalties we marched our way up the field with great touch kicking by Zussman, but the wet conditions and our all too short warm-up lead to a lack of focus and a lot of dropped balls on offence.  And thank you forwards for dealing with that.

One highlight of the game saw Shelly ‘the shelf’ Carpenter hit the Irish fly half so hard that she took down the inside center as well.  Carrie ‘lightning strike’ Henzie also quieted the obnoxious Irish pack by stealing a ball against the head, which was hit up the field, passed out to the backs who put Robin away on a beauty.  It seems so simple but yet we just could not get it going.  We have to go up from here, say tuned for hard work and hard hitting to come.

We started playing in a 3 inches of mud and ended in 6 inches of mud.  The first half was quite disappointing as Sherbrooke scored early on, and kept going for 4 tries. Our lineouts were on, and we saw some good plays from the backs.  Rucking was difficult as we had no footing and kept falling face first in the muck.

The second half proved to be much better as we decided that mauling would be a much more effect means of keeping the ball in hand.  We were doing well and then Jen O went down, and we were left with 14; but we didn’t give up.  We managed to play in their half and Sherbrooke started to get scared when we arrived on their 5 meter line.  Alas, the rugby gods were not with us, as Viv also went down, leaving us with 13 on the field.  Despite this, we kept Sherbrooke out of our end zone for the whole second half.  The score, in no way represents the effort that we put into this game.  Although we didn't put any points on the board, we had some great hits and a good game, especially Sarah S, Kim R, Jen O and our new back Viv!!

Sunshine does well by us, or so we now believe as a very youthful TMR squad headed to the west island to take on the defending Cup Champions.  The first half saw us on cruise control with Henzie’s lighting fast strike not only winning our own scrums but anything else that was being put in the tunnel.  Garlando’s punishing hits from #6, MJ’s aggressive hands on the ball and our ENTIRE backline having their way on almost every single possession all contributed to us heading into the half ahead, calm and confident. 

Some call ‘em slumps and folks that what we had ourselves.  Our play became scattered and chaotic with cross-cover tackles saving our lead from being squandered.  The second half saw us take a minimum of 10 penalties for a variety of reasons culminating in our offensive firehouse Julianne Zussman taking one for the team and heading for the posts with the first yellow card of the season. All this being said the tone stayed intense, our work rate stayed up as did our spirits.  We remained calm in the clutch and came out with a decisive victory. If this is the TMR of new – sign me up coach!

The break of the game rests easily in Amy “Back for 2006” Buckland’s hands as her magnificent support of MJ lead to a 15 meter break down the field which was followed by…well you’ll just have to ask her!

The play of the game however no doubt goes to Cathy “Da Prez” Nichols who blocked a kick in the end zone that floated 20 meters out to Zuss, our outside center, who albeit her complete shock placed the ball down under the posts followed by her own easy conversion.

Welcome to the newest Townies; Gen and Zuss you are both integral and played out of your skins in your first game for the Town, thanks. Finally a welcome to Cyrus who served in his first game as coach for the Town women, thank you Cyrus!

With a thunderstorm looming and the sun going down quickly the TMR second division women’s team took to the field lead strongly by newly appointed captain Hazel Sutton.  The first half was peppered with hard hits, successful rucks and holding our own in the scrums.  When the whistle went we were dead even with them 0-0.

After a very quick half time the team took the field inspired.   Within 10 minutes Jill Q. put the ball down far in the corner breaking the tie and putting us up by 5.  And we just kept going up and up…

The forwards were phenomenal in the line-outs and were great in open play, lead by flankers Sarah M. and Izzy who were everywhere all day.  Another noteworthy addition was Kim who ran with the ball in hand with authority.  Our backs were exciting and worked well together throughout the game.  Meagan’s fantastic ball distribution from 9 lead to great decision making by Ciara at 10 and our strong centers; Pasquale and Claudia fed our wingers who maintained possession and defensively kept St. Jean out of our end for almost the entire second half. Meagan put another try over the line for us and the highlight of the game was Claudia taking a angle towards the sideline drawing two defenders and Jill taking the perfect angle to trot into the end zone and put St. Jean out of their misery.  The game was over, first game first win and a great start to the season.

And for all of those interested in the field of athletic therapy we learned from St. Jean that when there is an injury just grab a can of beer and slowly pour it over the said area, should be good as new.

Congrats to the Townies who wore the blue and gold for the first time; Ciara, Sarah M, Sarah S, Meagan, Jen O., Brina, Izzy, Kim and Jackie.

After a very quick warm up we headed onto the field and much to our surprise we were in their 5 meter within the first two or three minutes.  It was a confident Town, a hard hitting, strong rucking, vocal, supportive energetic Town and this looks like a great tone to start the season off with.  The score is clearly not a reflection of what went on out there and we have a lot to work with this season.

Making a special and always vocal appearance was Town Alum Araba “Roo” Chintoh, always nice to have you Roo dawg!  And a big welcome goes out to Juliann “Zuss” Zussman making her first and very impressive start in a TMR jersey.  Let’s not forget newcomer Brina Michael, who will fit in quite nicely with the rest of us.

The Yeoman were incredibly hospitable, especially Rachel, Shaw, Kat and Hannah who put 8 of us up very well, and what a great breakfasts…thank you all very much.  Can’t wait to have you visit the Town next year.