Canucks Front Row Five

Gabe Kajdy scores his second of four tries for the Calgary Canucks in their Alberta Cup game against Saracens at Calgary Rugby Park on May 24, 2019. © J. Ashley Nixon

When one of your props, Logan Jones, fly kicks and chases you know you have a mobile, creative pack doing more than getting the ball in the scrum, getting the job done.

Front row fire

It was Jones and his Calgary Canucks front row partners who led the assault on the Saracens on Friday night at Calgary Rugby Park. Pushing, charging, yes kicking, and scoring tries. Five of them (another was disallowed). Logie got one and his Brother in Arms, hooker, Gabe Kajdy commanded the pack platoon with four. The Saracens, who despite some close forays, never got through the Beaver belt and went down by a score of 64-0 in their return to Alberta Cup rugby after a pause accumulating nine years.

Ten for strength, balance, and agility

Matt Magrew, one of three new overseas recruits to the Canucks, added another audacious moment of forward rugby in the second half when he jumped in the line, caught the ball cleanly, turned, and drove ten metres to score his maiden try for the club. Diving judges, if he had wandered into that sport, would have unanimously awarded the Number 8 a ten for strength, balance, and agility.

The winger’s union also got in on the action, with a long run and a try down the right from Nathan Pratt. His left-wing partner, Ryan McNeilly almost scored but for a knock-on going over the line. Scrum-half William Nixon got on the score sheet when he picked up from behind the scrum and crashed over just after the interval. Full-back, Connor Tweed got in the try circle and replacement forward, Josh Bentley just missed out as he plunged onto the ball only to be told by the referee that it had crossed the back line. But moments later, he made another strong run, this time landing the ball precisely between the posts for the closing try of the game.

Final score: Calgary Canucks 64-0 Calgary Saracens

More action from the game

Please visit J. Ashley Nixon for more photos from this and other rugby games.