COMEBACK DREAM ENDS AT OAKVILLE

Hopes of a second consecutive McCormick Cup were dashed at Oakville on Saturday as the Irish lost 18-9 to the league champions in a brutal physical encounter that saw close to 40 penalties called.

Playing into a stiff wind in the first half, Ed Gardners penalty gave the Irish an early lead. Chris Foster then put Cru ahead after 25 minutes as he dashed in from five meters after the referee had first signalled Green advantage, then said "sorry, Black" when Foster scored. Another penalty increased the Cru lead to 10-3 at halftime.

Continuing their intense forward play (Irish took two tightheads against none, and stole numerous lineouts), the Greens pressed throughout the second half, quickly cutting the lead to 10-6. Another Cru penalty made it 13-6, but Gardners third kick of the day with eight to go closed the gap to 13-9. The Cru then withstood intense pressure for the rest of the match, finally clinching the game with a Layne Gardner try with two minutes left.

"I thought we played extremely well,'' said a bemused Irish coach Mark Winokur. "There were few areas in which we were outplayed-obviously I am disappointed in the penalty count against."

Indeed, the Irish were given four penalties against less than five meters from the Oakville line in the second half, any one of which could have resulted in the go ahead score. "Clearly, we must spend the winter consulting the law book, as there must have been changes that have escaped our attention." noted Winokur. "Nonetheless, my congratulations to coach Mark Jutronich and the Oakville players, who withstood the pressure and pulled out the win."

The development side suffered from injuries in the front row and were beaten 42-24 by the Crusaders in the second division semi-final. Down 20-5 at halftime, the Irish mounted a furious second half comeback, but it fell short and a great season ended. "We have done very well to not only stay in the division after promotion, but come within a whisker of the final."

In summary, this was a year in which we faced a lot of adversity, yet managed to show true character in coming back to nearly have two teams playing on Finals day. The results Saturday do not alter the fact that we are, and will continue to be, one of, if not the best club in Ontario.

Squad:  Maclean, Burleigh, Ashley, Laing, Gallimore (R. Azar 50 minutes), Thompson, Orsi, Crocker, Forbrigger, Gardner, Bergeron, Greco, Petrie,  Mozes, Pettigrew
Reserves-Parker, Maxwell, Smith, G. Azar, Jackson