The Search

For the second time this season (this month, really), the Brandon Barbarians encountered a Winnipeg team that seems unable to use the 19th century Alexander Graham Bell invention called the telephone or to use the 21st century contraption, the computer.

First, it was the Saracens. They didn't call to tell us they weren't showing up for a game on August 12.

According to rumours circulating through the Manitoba Rugby community, the pitch the Highlanders were using had been vandalized. The uprights at Stanley Knowles School had been cut down resulting in the Highlanders having to relocate their home games. All of this was confirmed by a Highlander's representative in a phone call originated by the Barbs on Thursday. If the goal had been repaired. the game would be played there. Otherwise, a representative from the club would be there when the Barbs arrived to redirect us.

The Barbs arrived en mass at 1:40pm. A call was made to the Highlanders to confirm the game's location. The phone was not answered. Brian Krawetz, the referee, got there about 2:00pm. There was not a Highlander in sight until Krawetz observed an ex-Highlander in the housing development, 200 yards away about 2:15pm. He told Krawetz the game would be at Sisler High School. The referee graciously advised the Barbs accordingly.

	The damaged South goalpost at Stanley Knowles School. Kind of hard to see kicked ball going through the uprights.
	A piece of partially buried concrete found on playing field about 20 meters out from north goal.
	Graham points to irrigation plug found about 25 meters out from damaged south goal post. Orange warning paint was very worn.
	What appears to be a vent found in the north dead ball zone.
	When advised game was to be played elsewhere, Barbs leave at 2:22pm, arrive at new pitch at 2:35pm.
	Pitch at Sisler High School in reasonable shape, grass a bit long. Opposition team numbers eight bodies at 2:45pm
	A long way away from pitch, facilities are still a nice and welcome touch. Player count for opposition at 12. Play starts at 3:07pm

Please note the background and the photo story may seem to be flippant and patronizing. That is what they are meant to be.

We prepare our own pitch for our home games to recognized standards and we expect that an opposing team will be there when it is supposed to be. We travel 120 miles (240 miles, both ways) and expect to find ourselves at the right location for an out-of-town game.

We call Winnipeg by dialing the Winnipeg phone number supplied preceded 1 2 0 4.

Winnipeg teams can similarly call the Barbs at the number supplied preceded by 1 2 0 4.