Todd PRITCHARD
Special the to Tribune
The Williams Lake Rustlers and the Gnats from Prince George played the first game of the Central Interior Rugby Union schedule on Saturday, May 13, up at the Ottoman Drive Rugby Park.
Williams Lake kicked off and immediately began to apply pressure with their back play.
The Gnats played great defense and turned over several balls close to their line, thwarting the Williams Lake attack.
Ryan Parker crossed the line 10 minutes into the game but lost control of the ball on the touch down and the try was disallowed.
The Rustlers continued to attack, but the Gnats played stellar defense and denied them the try line.
John Jubinvill finally cracked the defense and crossed the line to score the first try about 15 minutes into the game.
The Rustlers continued to carry the play on their backs and after another foray inside the Gnats 25-metre line, Alex Kaufman fed Masui Fine the ball off a quick ruck and Masui ran through several defenders to score the games second try.
Prince George began to assert some pressure on the Rustlers scrums and lineouts as their forwards were bigger and technically superior in the sets.
Williams Lake took several penalties which allowed the Gnats to gain substantial ground.
Ferocious tackling by Alex Crook and Nick Warnock created a Prince George turnover and the counterattack led by Jordan Pritchard, proved lethal as after a 50-metre run, he fed Shale Stemp who scored.
Masui Fine got his second try of the game just before half-time on another 15-metre run. He was unstoppable when close to the try line. The half time score was 20-to-0 for the Rustlers.
Prince George came out strong in the second half and after several runs from clean ruck ball their flanker broke the defensive line and rambled 25 metres in to score.
Both teams settled into their structured play and most of the play was between the 25-metre lines.
James Kaufman was dangerous all afternoon both coming into the back line and counterattacking on Prince George kicks. He had a couple beautiful runs of over 60 meters where he was stopped just before he could score.
He did manage to score on another long run half way through the second half. The Prince George standoff scored a spectacular try of over 80 metres beating three Rustlers and then scoring in the corner.
Jordan Pritchard scored the last try after a Prince George clearing kick was partially blocked. He beat one man and then scored between the posts.
Alex Kaufman had a great game at halfback. His ball delivery and tackling were solid all day. The back and forwards of the match were James Kaufman and Masui Fine.
The next league games are up at Ottoman on Saturday, May 27 when Prince George, Terrace and Prince Rupert’s men’s and ladies teams are in town.
Todd Pritchard is a long-time member of the Williams Lake Rustlers
Jake Illinicki here Saturday
Alexis Creek’s own Jake Illnicki, 31, Canadian rugby union prop who plays international rugby for Canada and professional rugby for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby, will be in Williams Lake Saturday, May 27 with the BC Bears to host a camp at the Ottoman Rugby Fields at 10 a.m.
In a Facebook post Illinicki said the first 30 minutes will be a light activation, hand eye exercises, and passing tech that the guys playing later can take part in.
Next hour will be a mix of skills and drills finishing with some touch games.
Will split into similar age and skill level.
Looking forward to seeing everyone and a good day of rugby.
Following the camp, the women’s games will starting at 11:30 a.m. and men’s at noon.
READ MORE: Ilnicki named to Canadian side for upcoming 2023 Rugby World Cup test matches
monica.lamb-yorski@wltribune.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on X
