Rock upset Blues at Sherwood Forest

The Atlantic Rock have scored the first major upset of the 2016 Johnsonville Canadian Rugby Championship season, defeating the Ontario Blues 22-12 at Sherwood Forest Park in Burlington on Saturday. Strong defense and standout performances from several youngsters earned the first victory for the Rock over the Blues since 2010, and the first ever win on Ontario soil since the Blues were inaugurated in 2009.

Paddy McNicholas scored the first of his 12 points just four minutes into the match to point the Rock on the board first. After a 20-minute stalemate it was the winger again who struck, tearing away for a 70 metre breakaway try after picking off a loose Ontario pass. The conversion gave the visitors a surprise 10 point lead.

Ontario finally got into the game a few short minutes later. Dan West made a half break and put replacement Mark Denton away for a try, a memorable start for the fullback making his Blues debut. Johnny Sheridan converted and the half ended with only three points separating the two sides.

The fired-up home side came out with intent after the break, but could not breach the Atlantic defensive line. After sustained pressure the Rock cleared, and worked their way into Blues territory. McNicholas nearly crossed for his second only to be shunted into touch at the last moment. Still under pressure Ontario tried to run from their own end but the outstretched wing of Toni Wodzicki took another ill-advised pass, and the big flanker galloped in from 20 metres for another intercept try, beautifully converted by McNicholas.

Rob Brouwer replied in almost immediately for Ontario, who regained possession from the kickoff. The prop barged over to reduce the gap to one score despite Sheridan’s conversion drifting wide left. The writing was on the wall, however, and impressive youngster Aidan McMullen iced the result with a massive long-range break to score from well beyond halfway.

The Blues will now take on England Counties at Fletcher’s Fields on June 11 in a friendly before a rematch with the Rock in St. John’s when the CRC regular season resumes on July 2. Both sides are expected to add players to the squad following Canada’s June international series.

ONTARIO BLUES 12
Tries – M. Denton (30), R. Brouwer (59)
Cons – J. Sheridan (31)

ATLANTIC ROCK 22
Tries – P. McNicholas (24), T. Wodzicki (54), A. McMullan (66)
Cons – P. McNicholas 2 (25, 55)
Pens – P. McNicholas (4)

ONTARIO BLUES
1 Brendan Blaikie 2 Brandon Black 3 Rob Brouwer 4 Hank McQueen (capt.) 5 Dillon Goos 6 Mike Sheppard 7 Peter Milazzo 8 Andrew Wilson 9 Josh Campbell 10 Mitch Richardson 11 Rich Lebel 12 Dan West 13 John Sheridan 14 Brandon McLeod 15 Matt Alexander

16 Chris Gladney 17 Armin Gurdic 18 Dylan Parson 19 Jeremy Wright 20 Marcello Wainwright 21 Chad Strapp 22 Hayden Ryan 23 Mark Denton

ATLANTIC ROCK
1 Frank Walsh 2 Owen Parfrey (capt.) 3 Jordon Power 4 Conor Keys 5 Brad Lester 6 Toni Wodzicki 7 Matt Murphy 8 Mike Hamson 9 Weston Hill 10 Aidan McMullan 11 Brett Johnson 12 Emil Sehic 13 Colin Alexander 14 Paddy McNicholas 15 Rob Law

16 Martial Lagain 17 Alex Forrest 18 Keelan Chapman 19 Chris Browne 20 Jack Thorburn 21 Tony Pomroy 22 James Mitchell 23 Bryce Thomassin

with files courtesy of Brock Smith and Rugby Ontario