Irish Canadian Rugby Club 10 - Balmy Beach 14
11 / 01 / 03
Marshall Division II Cup Final

Despite scoring two tries to Beach' one, Irish Development were beaten in a torrid second team cup final by 14 points to 10 at Fletchers on Saturday.

Fielding an identical line up to that which started the last two weeks, Irish got a first minute try from Chris McCannell to open the scoring.

South African import Colin Telfer replied with two penalties to take Beach into the break 6-5.  Irish had lost out-half Peter Ameli (hamstring) and wing Mark Power (broken tibia), but battled on through the cool, grey afternoon.

Telfer's third penalty raised the Beach lead to 9-5, and a try with 16 minutes left gave Beach what appeared to be a comfortable 14-5 margin.  Ryan Ellement's quick tap score cut the lead to 14-10, and there it stayed as Irish could not convert either try or their kick at penalty goal.

Following the game, the entire Irish first XV, in attendance throughout, took the field to congratulate the 2s on their effort.

"This may be one of the most positive days we have had this year,' noted Irish club coach Mark Winokur.  "Despite some injury and penalty misfortune, the guys played hard for 80 minutes, and some of the people we project as first team starters next year really impressed.  The club spirit after the game on the field and at the Rose and Crown was heartening as well."

The formal season now concluded saw the firsts with a 11-6 league and cup record, the seconds with a 13-5 mark and the thirds with a 9-5 finish, (overall 33-16), not the absolute best in recent memory, but close.

The Irish will send a team to New York for the 7s on November 29, and have three members as finalists for the ORU Awards Dinner next Friday, player of the year candidate Mark Thompson, rookie candidate Leonard Jean Pierre and coach Mark Winokur.

The club dinner is November 21 at the Paradise Ballroom, details to follow.