Saturday at Brockton Oval, in what passes for West Coast winter – drizzle evolving to continuous rain – the top first half teams from the Mainland and Vancouver Island, UBC Old Boys and James Bay Athletic Association, met to open the BCRU CDI Premier League season. 

This was a Blue Crush day. Both sets of backs played comprehensive D, and handled the difficult ball fairly well. But it was the JBAA forwards, led by towering props Eric Forsythe and Dan Hrycyk, that ultimately proved the difference. 

Old Boys started well – locks Burak and McKay crashing into the Navy Blue defenders – Ed Fairhurst controlling play to give the Ravens an edge in both possession and territory. At three minutes, Pat Dunkley broke a thumb – and Saskatchewan’s Danny Hrycyk, having earlier played 80 minutes in the Ones’ game, entered the Premier fray at prop. Six minutes in, Fairhurst notched a penalty goal to put the Ravens ahead – and a dash down the wing in coverage earned Gordon Minty a score another 6 minutes on. Ravens 8 – Bays 0. 

But the Blue Crush began to exert more pressure, with Dave Moonlight finally squirting over in the right corner. Jeff Williams converts: Ravens 8 – Bays 7. 

The fierce battle continued – forwards from both teams crashing - backs boshing and tackling. Fairhurst (Ravens) and Williams (Bays) put particular pressure on fullbacks Harlow (pressed into service with Morgan Williams ill) and Dipton. These two stalwarts received ball courageously – often with a good view of the tonsils of sundry looming tacklers. At 28 minutes, the Ravens tallied again – Dan Wainwright racing over. Boshing and bashing continued to the half. Ravens 13 – Bays 7. 

In half two, perhaps aided by a game in San Francisco last weekend – and led from the front by Forsythe, Hrycyk and Yoon, the Bays lifted to another gear. Ravens continued to give it their all. The game remained intense. In fact, UBCOB could have scored again, save for a nullifying infraction early in the half. Finally, persistent Blue Crush pressure saw the JBAA backs sweep wide right, with Sands Falk scoring in the corner. Ravens 13 – Bays 12. 

Twelve minutes from time, a highlight reel try secured the JBAA win. Blue Crush pressuring – a Callum Morrison break toward the goal – a fingertip catch of his pass and five strides by Mitch Gudgeon – then Spenny Dalziel, diving forward to catch Gudgeon’s pass and land ball first between the posts. Williams converts. Final score: JBAA 19 – UBCOB 13. 

Both teams left the field heads held high. The outcome could have been different. But Bays were able to mount a bit more second half pressure, and win the day. 

Sam Langridge managed the difficult game well – and a ref’s assistant showed courage, flagging an obvious personal foul at a key moment in the second half. Next Saturday, the Bays will host Velox at MacDonald Park. Ravens again play at Brockton against Rowers.