Cataraqui Soccer Club

The 26th Annual James D Canuel Memorial Tournament was held in Perth this past weekend.  Cataraqui Soccer Club entered teams in Women’s, the Open, and the Old Timers events.  First prize in each event was, of course, a trophy.  The lucky (some would say skillful) winners also received a light mauve T shirt to commemorate their victory.  (For the lads – excluding the metrosexuals who already know this - mauve is a colour which resembles purple, but is much lighter – definitely lighter than puce …….).

The 25th July saw both the Women’s and the Open teams advance to the next round of their respective competitions.  The Women were particularly successful, not in record breaking, but in body breaking.  Several fractures were sustained – a radius and ulna fracture (just above the wrist – a Colles’ fracture) and a fracture at the base of the first proximal phalanx (base of the thumb – a Bennett’s fracture).  Despite this the Women were Runner’s-up to Glengarry in the final and received a very nice light blue T shirt, as well as their trophy.

Back Row: Alison Gibbons, Laura den Ouden, Alicia Walton, Tara Zomer, Caitlyn Cowen, Bernie Harpell, Taylor Ready, Paige Ready, Stephanie McShane, Kelsie Shafer
Front Row: Lori Harpell, Jacqueline Cyr, Kate Baki, Joanne Boyle

The Open lads, with the help of Peter Boyle Sr. and Morton (singing: If I Could Turn Back Time) took their 2-0-2 record to the semi-finals where they were bested on a penalty shoot-out.  The quinquagenerians (welcome to that club Mr. Doyle) wisely sat out the semi-final.  (Well done Max Steele in goal to save one from the Gloucester Celtics).  No T shirt for you!  Very well done to Peter Boyle Sr. for managing to get a very respectable team together – the lads had a shot a defending their championship when it looked like that might not happen because of Brian Dodo’s illness.

The Old Timers competition was a sad affair, with only three teams involved.  Well done James McIntyre for persevering in getting 12 guys together for this.  With a fantastic record of 0-2-0, no goals against and no goals for, we ended up bearers of the Finalist Trophy and the nice blue T shirts.  Perhaps the problem was that we had lost our planned coach, Billy Stewart.  Rumour had it that he was trapped at Tim Horton’s with a double double, but there was also the consideration that he might have had a few doubles the night before …..

Back Row: Conlon Family, Brian Harpell, James McIntyre, Terry Day, Bernie Harpell, Rob Lusink
Front Row: Ross Morton, Joel Badour, Rob McDonald, Ross Corcoran, Max Steele
Missing: Peter Boyle, Matthew Lauder

On a lighter note, there was camping in the thunderstorm.  Moaning Morton, who had wanted directions to the camping area – a lovely cottage on the Rideau, showed his true colours as a fair weather camper, so missed out on the rain, euchre, poker (including a Royal Flush), Tequila, and the joy of packing away a soaking wet tent.  There was also dining at The Cove, one of the few restaurants which cleans its BBQ grill on a regular basis, confounding the burger lovers who were just that bit late.

All in all, a fun weekend, but I suspect the last time the Old Timers will be in Perth, unless there is evidence of a dramatic overhaul.

Ross Morton