Round 1 of the season got under way this past, very warm weekend.
All three Ottawa based teams were in action and while both women teams were able to walk away on top the men will have to wait for their first win of the 2016 season.
The Men traveled down to Toronto to play the Dingos on Saturday, in what has got to be one of the warmer starts to an OAFL season.
The Swans finished the first quarter in the lead, but unfortunately learned what happens when you flood your own forward with far too many players, take some 50 meter penalties and miss some easy chances. You end up chasing your opposition for the remainder of the game.
Despite the final score Dingos 10.8.68 to Swans 8.13.61 there were some positives.
The Swans defense led by Paul “Fairy” Fairbrother was solid all game. There was tons of pressure on the back line and they did what they could to make the game a close. The midfield had their work cut out for them in the heat. They ran all day, in particular Daniel “Robbo” Robinson was a standout, adding some points to the scoreboard. Speaking of scoreboard, Blair “Sauce” Oliver was fantastic with his first effort in the red and white with some beautiful work at CHF taking some great marks and kicking classy goals.
Some of the rookies got a good run in and no doubt will take a lot away from the experience of the day. Of note, Pablo “Pabs” Juarez debut game had him step up in the pressure filled in the back line and James “Rooter” de Ruiter seemed at home as he got a few opportunities to take the ruck.
The Swans were clearly fitter and stronger running right to the final siren, however sometimes that is not enough. The men will have another opportunity this season to play the Dingo (RD 6), but next up is the Eagles, this coming Saturday for their first home game.
The Carleton Warriors and the Rideau Shamrocks were introduced last year and after some re-shuffling of players and a new head coach for the Warriors (Charles Bernard), they were ready to also get their season started this past Sunday in Montreal.
First up were the Shamrocks against the Giants. This was a close one. The Ottawa based ladies came out strong with 2 quick goals from Lisa Dalla Rosa (this veteran players first time on the scoreboard). After the first quarter it appeared that the Shamrocks could have a very convincing win, however the Giants answered back with two very strong quarters. While the Shamrocks never fell behind, they did give up their lead mid-game and found themselves tied. Heading into the final term both teams had to dig deep and push through the heat and exhaustion to notch the win. Strong defensive effort by the Shamrocks resulted in the victory specifically a second-effort, chase-down tackle from Emma Dickinson to stop a sure Giants goal and FB Kelly Cambridge finding herself in goal kicking distance and adding her name to the score sheet in the last few minutes of the nail-biting finish. Shamrocks 8.7.55 to Giants 7.4.46.
In the second women's game of the afternoon, the Carleton Warriors got off to an excellent start against the Plateau Eagles and never looked back. Beginning with a trio of goals from the Warriors' midfielders Anke Patzelt, Margaret Werniuk, and Vivian Nguyen in the first quarter, the Ottawa side steadily continued to generate work for the scorekeepers. The Eagles were suffering from the absence of key veteran players and had several relatively untested rookies Taking full advantage, the Warriors used a combination of skill and fitness to consistently move to ball to open teammates, resulting an unheard-of level of scoring. In a game where nearly every player earned points, there were a few stand-outs: with 6 goals, last year's late-season addition Anke Patzelt continues to offer glimpses of her enormous potential. Also, veteran FB Cat Geci scored her first career goal during a fourth-quarter adventure to the offensive end of field. Warriors 19.9.123 to Eagles 0.0.0
Next up…for the ladies of Ottawa? They play each other. The Warriors take on the Shamrocks this Saturday in Ottawa. Game time for this showdown is noon.
Last Modified on 02/06/2016 03:48