Irish Canadian Rugby Club 22 - Oakville Crusaders 30
23 / 06 / 02
League

Just as Irish ended Cru's unbeaten streak last year, the Crusaders returned the favour with a 30-22 (5 tries to 4) win at Fletchers on a brutally hot Sunday afternoon.

The league holders raced to a 20-5 lead just before halftime, and led 27-12 with 15 minutes left before the Irish scored twice to close the gape to 27-22 and leave some doubt in the fans minds at the end of the match.  An injury time penalty by Oakville clinched the game.

With the temperature approaching 35 C (100 F), both teams looked a little slower than usual, but Randy Warrington gave Oakville a 5-0 lead in the games first minute after a spilled ball gave the Cru the attacking scrum. Young Irish winger Simon Dunne continued his astounding scoring rate by touching down in the corner shortly thereafter; but a stream of penalties against the Irish gave Oakville many opportunities to take their line out drive play, and they touched down twice in the first half and once in the second from that same situation.

Dave Stratton kept the Irish in the hunt at 20-12 by scoring just before halftime; Cru countered with another drive from a penalty; Peter Smith and Istvan Mozes brought the Irish within a score; but the Cru held on and killed the clock for the win.

"There were a number of things that went wrong for us today," noted Irish coach Mark Winokur, "some of which were out of our control, such as losing our top two tight head props to injuries sustained in the so-called 'Super League'; and some we could control, and did not, like discipline and game structure.  All credit to the Cru for sticking to their game plan and making it work; but we still had a chance in the last minutes, and at least managed a bonus point. We will have to get much, much tougher and more disciplined against York on July 6."

The Development side conceded a last minute try to lose 19-14 to Oakville; and the thirds were well beaten 34-0 by their Oakville counterparts.

"The trickle down effect from losing so many rep players at the top hurt us," said Winokur, "but Oakville were full value for their wins. The next match, in September, will be very interesting."

All teams break next weekend, but play at York on July 6.

Training, for those committed to play at York, continues this Thursday, mandatory for those involved.