Blues 2nd XV Rack Up 9 Tries To Kick Off Friday Night Lights
- Jun 30,2018
By John Amos
Mississauga Blues RFC 2nd XV 53 - 19 Toronto Buccaneers RFC 2nd XV
The Mississauga Blues 2nd XV gave an indication of the depth of the 2018 version of the Mississauga Sr Men's Team when everyone shows up as they exploded for 9 tries to kick off the first Friday Night Lights of 2018.
However, it was the Buccaneers who got the scoring started, maintaining possession through many phases after receiving the opening kickoff and scoring the first try two minutes into the game with the Blues yet to touch the ball. The response from the Blues was clinical. They worked their way machine-like down the field once they got possession. In his first action of 2018, Edis Tarkuc showed that he is still one of the best touch finders in the league, placing a punt from a penalty nicely inside the Bucs' 22. The Blues controlled the lineout, working the ball through several hands before Jordan Habete made a nice cut back against the grain to gain important territory. A pass to Timico Smith drew in the defenders nicely leaving Phil Tran open to take it in for the Blues' first try.
The Blues went ahead to stay at the 10' mark as Chris Lewis, returning to action after a brief hiatus finished off a team try in the right corner. Rookie Cameron Hurst followed that up with his first of two high-light reel tries, making an amazing line break from the 22 and stepping backs like a sevens player, putting the Blues up 15-7. Manuel Tellez scored next, coming back after missing a game for an ankle injury and picking off an errant Bucs' pass to dash 70 m for a score. 20-7 Blues. The Blues' first half scoring was finished off by another veteran making his first appearance of 2018 as Josh Kreigs touched down in the right corner. The Blues took a dominant 25-7 lead into the half.
Toronto Buccaneers regrouped at half time and chalked up the next two scores as they closed to within 6 to bring the score to 25-19 in favour of the Blues. Timico Smith decided enough was enough, scampering in from the 20m mark, leaving several Bucs checking for broken ankles after amazing Smith jukes. Kieran Smerdon added the first of his 4 conversions on the night and the Blues were up 32-19.
Chris Lewis scored his second of the night with a #8 pick off the back of the scrum. Veteran Joe Kitchen scored next and the Blues were up 46-19. Cameron Hurst saved the best for last scoring the try of the night, demonstrating an impressive combination of fends, hand-offs, steps and speed, carrying the ball 80 m to cap an amazing performance by the Mississauga Blues 2nd XV. Final score, 53-19.
Special shout out to an undersized front row of Steven Ritz, John Hodson and Griffin de Melo who while under considerable pressure in the scrum, dominated in defence, meeting out many devastating hits and turning the ball over frequently.
All-in-all, an excellent effort by the entire Blues' Senior Men club.