Saturday August 8th saw all three Ottawa based footy teams in action at home. It was part of Ottawa Swans Day 2015, which started the night before with the first session of the Swans Youth Program. On Friday evening Swan players paired up with children aged 8 - 16 and taught them the basics of hand-balling, kicking and hitting the tacking pads. This was in conjunction with the South -East Ottawa Community Health Centre. Special mention to Men’s Team Captain Nathan Strom for organizing the drills and Swan team sponsor Loren Scott Home Reality for arranging for and delivering Pizza Pizza to all the participants. There is hope to have another session later this season.
Saturday at noon saw the first ever meeting of the two new Ottawa based Women’s Teams, the Carleton Warriors and Rideau Shamrocks. Unfortunately injuries have done a number on both teams this season, with the most impact felt by the Shamrocks. That being said the ladies did proudly don their colours and played hard without the benefit of an interchange.
The Warriors had too much run for the Shamrocks in midfield and attacked relentlessly on the Shamrocks goal from ball up to the final whistle. If it wasn’t for the relentless work of the Shamrocks defense, led by Kelly Cambridge the score could have been ever more then what is was. But superior fitness, strong running and clinical finishing from the Warriors was enough to see them walk away from the first ever “Ottawa Ladies Clash” by a convincing 10.7.67 to 0.2.2. Overheard during the game from one the visiting Etobicoke Kangaroos, “Wow, that was textbook ball movement, female footy in Ottawa is good, mate”. Yeah, it is! These two teams play again on the 22nd.
Following the women’s match the men took on the Etobicoke Kangaroos, in what turned out to be another nail-biting last few minutes. These two teams went in to the match tied in the standings.
The Swans came out of the gate strong. They had a 3 goal lead going into the second quarter and seemed to be in control of the game, however good sides like the Roo's will always push back. This and the third term belonged to the visiting team. While the Swans did manage to score a few majors, they did miss some relatively simple opportunities which would have left them in a better spot going into the final 20 minutes.
While they were never behind on the scoreboard the Swans only led by a few points for the last quarter. They had to once again rely on their never say die attitude. Watching the last part of the game you saw the guts, determination and grit that being a Swan requires. As the game neared the final siren, protecting the one goal lead became the mission. The mission was accomplished and the Swans got the very important 4 points. Swans 8.9.57 to Roos 7.9.51.
Coach Rod, gave credit to the defense, "Joel Crimmins, Paul Fairbrothers, Michael Beall, Alex Huard and Morgan Whyte all had to be at their best to stop the surging Roo’s".
To cap off Ottawa Swans Day 2015 the teams visited their sponsor pub, St. Louis and dressed the part to attend a 90’s dance party. See the Facebook page for a picture!
Next up the Men play the visiting Hamilton Wildcats and the Lady Swans will battle the Montreal Angels, this Saturday August 15th. Games start at 12 pm and will be at 4061 Strandherd Drive.
Last Modified on 15/08/2015 01:23