Powell River Otago rugby club fought hard but dropped a 65-10 decision to Port Alberni Black Sheep in a game played at Cranberry Field on December 7. In perfect rugby conditions, Port Alberni brought a stacked team to Powell River. Otago spokesperson Jack Beardmore said Otago knew there was no way they were going to […]
Powell River Otago rugby club fought hard but dropped a 65-10 decision to Port Alberni Black Sheep in a game played at Cranberry Field on December 7.
In perfect rugby conditions, Port Alberni brought a stacked team to Powell River. Otago spokesperson Jack Beardmore said Otago knew there was no way they were going to beat Port Alberni, but the score ended up being higher than he had hoped. Beardmore said a couple of the Port Alberni players had played for the Fijian under-21 national team, so Otago was up against first-rate players.
“One of them ended up scoring five trys on us, with his speed and his sidestepping,” said Beardmore. “However, our guys were not disappointed. In all, I thought we played well, other than some breakdowns. Seven of their trys were one step around one of our players, then running the length of the field. All it takes is one mistake when you’re playing that calibre of rugby.”
Beardmore said Otago’s record this year has been solid, with six wins and two losses coming into the latest contest against the Black Sheep. One of those losses came against Port Alberni, and the other against Nanaimo, with both teams fielding division one rugby players. Beardmore said Otago hasn’t lost against a division three team yet this year.
In the game against the Black Sheep, Beardmore said Otago had some good ball movement and support. He said that on several occasions, Otago advanced to the Black Sheep five-metre line and “got too excited.”
“We easily could have added three more trys,” said Beardmore. “We had some knock-ons near the Black Sheep try line. Our guys were trying to do a little more than they should be doing. Instead of playing like we have trained all year, any time they are inside of 10 metres, our players should just pick and go, pick and go, and support, even if we’re only moving one metre at a time.
“What happened was, our guys would pick, but didn’t have the support with them; they would take off, and that’s when a turnover or knock-on would occur.”
Beardmore said he is hoping Otago players learn from the experience.
“The only way to play at that level is to play at that level,” said Beardmore.
He added that the Otago effort was hampered by some injuries, but all in all, it was a good match.
Beardmore said Otago was able to get some younger, 18-year-old players into the contest, and playing against the seasoned Port Alberni team was a good experience, because, ultimately, the young players want to play at a high level.
Otago will play next at Port Alberni on February 15. Beardmore said the team is hoping to have some players back who couldn’t make the latest game.
“We’ll play a better game but I have no illusion that we’re going to beat them,” said Beardmore. “They’ve been to the BC championship three years in a row, winning two of them. They are one of the top first division teams in the province. They have only lost one game all year.”
Moving into 2025, it’s an exciting time for Otago, which will be celebrating its 50th year as a rugby club. Beardmore said club members have been working on next summer’s event, so a whole year of planning will go into it.
Otago is planning to produce a book that highlights and celebrates the 50 years, and the team has been collecting stories and photos from the club’s beginning, and will include features such as the United Kingdom tour in 1986.
Beardmore said the club is already starting to take reservations for next summer’s banquet, and he’s hoping to have 200 people come to Dwight Hall for the festivities.
The 50th anniversary weekend will be held June 20 and 21, with a golf tournament and a meet and greet at the clubhouse on June 20. On June 21, there will be afternoon rugby games, with a women’s game, followed by the old boys and then a senior men’s game. The formal banquet will be at 7 pm.
For more information, email [email protected].
Join the Peak’s email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
