Saturday October 31 at Fletchers Fields saw intense finals for the McCormick Cup and the Tier II Cup.   The weather was dry.  The grounds were soft with standing water in places.  But the most significant factor was the wind.  It blew strongly across the fields making both kicking and passing very difficult.  The team that conquered the wind was the one that won.

First up were Oshawa and Balmy Beach in the Tier II Final.  Oshawa dominated the first half scoring 2 penalty goals and a try to lead by 11 points before the Beach managed a try just before the half.  This was a sign of things to come.  Beach ran in 3 motre tries in the second half but, significantly, did not make any conversions.  Meanwhile Oshawa managed a try and a penalty goal.  The score with 10 minutes left was Beach 20 Oshawa 19.   A mistake by the Beach gave Oshawa a penalty kick within range.  Despite the swirling wind, Oshawa made no mistake to take a 2 point lead.  After that it was a question of hanging on for a two point victory.

Despite the excitement, the officiating team went about their duties calmly and efficiently.  Congratulations to Referee Andrew McMaster, Assistant Referees Daniel Gana and Jon Butcher, and #4 John Wooley.

The McCormick Cup Final was next - Oakville Crusaders v Aurora Barbarians.   Crusaders had all the possession and all the territory for the first half but could only manage one penalty goal (0 - 3).  The second half saw a try by Barbs ( 5 - 3) quickly annulled by a drop goal by Crusaders (5 - 6).    Play moved back and forth with the Crusaders missing 3 kickable goals.  Then a mistake by Barbs lead to a try in the corner.  It was too far out to convert but gave the Crusaders a 6 point lead (5 - 11).    With just minutes to go, Barbs applied intense pressure on the Crusaders line.  Several movements were stopped cold before the defence wilted and Barbs found themselves with a 3 on one and a try about 15 metres from the touch line (10 - 12).  The conversion started outside the right upright but was slowly blown back until it sailed over the cross bar - 12 - 11 for Barbs.  The Cup was theirs!

Again the officiating team did a first class job.  Congratulations to Referee Andrew Hall, Assistant Referees Andrew Hosie and Roelie Cronje, and #4 Official John Wooley.

And so ends the Cup season for 2009.  Next up are the University and OCAA Finals on November 14.