Experience, savvy, and leadership prevails.
By: WJO
A cornerstone for Reunion Weekend are the sports competed by cadets and ex cadets. Once again – for the 10th consecutive year and for the 12th time in the history of the Pijper Cup, the adage – old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill held true.
The Pijper Cup was presented by the Class of 1980 in memory of 12609 Thomas A Pijper to the overall winner of the Ex cadet vs Cadet sports challenge on ex cadet weekend which is now known as Reunion Weekend..
With a number of different formats and various interpretation of rules, cadets and ex cadets competed in (M) basketball; (M) rugby; (W) soccer; (w) volleyball; (m) volleyball; and mixed water-polo.
Fencers, (w) basketball and taekwondo show-cased their sports with various demonstrations.
When the final results were read on the parade square by RMC Club President, 15988 Jeff Kearns at the conclusion of Reunion Weekend – Ex cadets were the winners 4-2. Cadets were able to win (M) volleyball 3-1 and (w) soccer (read writeup below) 3-2. The wily ex cadets were dominant (m) basketball 94 – 58 and in the pool beating the cadets 23 – 6 at water-polo. (w) volleyball was close with scores of 25-22; 20-25; 25-20; & 25-23. (m) rugby was the most competitive with ex cadets squeaking out a narrow 23 – 21 win.
Former RMC Redmen star from the Major Danny McLeod hockey era, 7675 Ken MacAuley, accepted the Pijper Cup on behalf of the ex cadets. Some cadets and ex cadets on parade wondered if Ken would do a victory lap around the parade square. He didn’t!
Whether it was at the gym; at the ruby / soccer pitches; or in the pool, one common thread was evident – there’s one thing that’s more important than winning the game, and that’s keeping the spirit of the Reunion Weekend sports competitions alive. This year all involved achieved this goal!
HISTORIC MATCH MAKES A RETURN
Paladins Record First Win Versus Ex cadets!
The most popular and unique Alumni match for RMC varsity sports made its return on Saturday after a two-year absence. The Women’s Soccer Red & White Match features the current varsity women’s’ team versus the White Team that features both female Ex-Cadets and male Ex-Cadets and was last played in the fall of 2005 The male Ex-Cadets however, are restricted to those who graduated 25 years or more to the present year from one of Canada’s military colleges. Among most of the male Ex-Cadets are the original founders of the Women’s soccer program as they donated the funds to bring to life a Women’s Soccer team at RMC.
The young Red team got off to a quick start finding their rhythm of play early as they moved the ball confidently to each other. With quick combination play and patience the Women’s team opened the scoring in the 26th minute of play as first year Victoria Clouthier rounded the White Team’s goalkeeper. Clouthier calmly placed her shot into the goal to give the Red team the lead.
Just before the halftime break, second year Laura Gray had a great individual effort as she netted her first of the game. Gray broke through the White defenders and side footed a delicate chip to extend the team’s lead to 2-0 into the halftime break.
Before the hour mark the Red team would find a third goal through first year Kim Archibald. The young striker’s shot looped over the White defenders just beating the outstretched hand of the goalkeeper and the Red looked comfortable at 3-0
However as the game approached the final 15 minutes the Whites turned up the pressure and were rewarded with 2 quick goals in the 80th and 83rd minutes of play. But the Red team regained their composure to do enough to keep the Whites from making the complete comeback and walked away 3-2 winners.
This marked the first time in 14 Red & White Matches that the Red team could claim victory over the experienced Alumni. Twice before the young Reds had tied the White team, but after many years in waiting the Varsity Team finally can lay claim to a win. More importantly however, was the great display of camaraderie and spirit of the game that was evident to all observers.