Saturday May 6 2017
Wanderers Prems 28- RCM 7.
The Wanderers new kit was revealed this Saturday in preseason action against the Rugby Club de Montreal. The wardrobe may have changed from Baby to Navy, but it was the same old Boys in Blue. After a flat start on the Plateau, a flood of second half tries prompted Mayor Denis Coderre to declare a state of emergency, and the Wands took the game 28-7.
The Wanderers came out flying in the first half, erratic like a bat stuck in a living room maybe but flying nonetheless. Egged on by Club President and town heckler Matt Barazin, the Wanderers tested the RCM defense many times but couldn’t find the try zone. Adam Sommer continued a long tradition of Wanderer front row kicking with a brilliant impromptu kick to pin RCM deep in their half. But despite turning the RCM half into a pressure cooker, RCM managed the only try of the half in the last minute. It didn’t help that the referee treated the preseason game like a workshop in the new high tackle rule, yellow carding even one player who was simply dusting lint off an opponent’s shoulder.
The tide turned blue in the 2nd half.
A legion of Angry le Pen supporters in the Wanderer back row (Devon Hyver and Gary Pillu) delivered punishing hits and galloping runs. AJ killer broke through with a cute grubber in the centres. His aged legs lacked the juice to finish, but a few phase later Teddy McGregor bashed across the line.
Then, Jon “Curly” Dextras did the seemingly impossible. He set a maul but no one came in support. So he ripped the ball off himself, curled off into open space, and took 3 joyful strides into the tryzone. To the untrained eye, it looked as if Dexy pulled off a sexy spin move try. But we all know it was the world’s first One Man Maul.
Ted McGregor took home player of the game honors for the second time this season with his thundering try and 4/4 conversion kicking. Who knew those thighs were so precise! Alex “The Argentinian” Elali was a menace at fullback, with his prancing, taunting counter attacks, including one run-away try and another brilliant 80 yard return. A posse of Young Bloods made debuts in the backline: Colin macDonald and Nico (last name?) on the wings , Tommy Markopoulus at 10, and Recently arrived Wisconsin import Chase “Jolly” Jolie (no relation to Angelina). Craig Bowler joined the new generation in the engine room (2nd row).
Quebec rugby take heed. In 2017, the Navy Blue Wanderers are back!