The rugby squad has now been in Australia for four days and it has been quite a trip so far. The boys landed in Sydney and after a two-hour bus ride arrived on the Central Coast. After a quick lunch, the team hit the paddock for their first training session. While seeing the sun was a joyous occasion for the water-logged and snow-weary Vancouverites, the boys were not so keen about the temperature being ninety degrees.
After a very strenuous run, the boys met their hosts and went off to have a great night's sleep in the hopes of recovering from the 15 hour flight. On Monday morning, the team reconvened and everyone was happy that the temperature had dropped considerably.
After another great practice, the team headed for Terrigal Beach, where everyone had a fantastic time in the surf. The boys also thoroughly enjoyed their lunches in the sun as the Terrigal strip provided them with many a terrific Aussie culinary option.
On Tuesday, the teams played their first games of tour. The juniors came away with a solid 10-0 victory. Thomas Simon scored the team's try when he went on a rampaging run on a 2/4 slide. Graeme Neill-Klein added a conversion and a penalty.
The senior team played a fantastic first half and scored three brilliant tries. Cole Young scored the first try of tour when he took a Duncan Bustos pass and sped past the helpless CCGS defenders to give the Cavs a 5-0 lead. After falling behind 12-5, the team put together an incredible five minutes of rugby that resulted in a sensational 15-phase try for Carter Proc. After falling behind 17-10, Max Moyes went on a thunderous run. Noah Wolverton then made a terrific over the head pass that sprung the backline. Ethan Lucke finished it off by beating three defenders.
Sadly, the second half was full of mistakes. The Cavs' overall lack of game fitness also played a huge role in the team's demise.
On Wednesday, the team travelled through an epic rainstorm on their way back to Sydney. After dropping their bags at the Collaroy Beach Youth Hostel, the boys headed off for a skills practice. A Kyle Cup competition followed and for a second straight time, the Blue team was victorious. The team moves to St. Augustine's tomorrow.
The rugby squad's first stop on this tour is Central Coast Grammar. As the map shows, they have a few more fields than Collingwood.
Duncan Bustos enjoying a vigorous run in the Aussie sunshine on Day 1 of tour.
The team at Terrigal Beach on Day 2 of tour.