The Rino’s Fury ended their season on Saturday in a 0-1 Cup loss to the Richmond Olympics. This normally would of sent them off to the golf courses with their usual long cup runs going well into March, but it seems they will be sent to the slopes with the ski season still in full flight.
It was a lackluster end to a year full of promise. Pundits predicting a successful promotion campaign, put pressure on the Rino’s Fury to live up to this expectation. With the team still finding their feet to start the league, a few hiccups early on against easier opponents, which had also been the case in years past, prompted another hole to be dug out of. From there the real season began with better team performances and standout individual play, starting an undefeated streak of 14 games to land the Fury in 1st place. A number of ties limited the potential point tally, but it looked optimistic going in the final third of league play.
As the season progressed, a few notable injuries and departures to the Rinos squad took it’s toll and required re-enforcements to be brought in. Perhaps this led to inconsistent performances, with players struggling to build chemistry beside new faces required changes to the structure of the team down the final stretch . At times, the Fury were unstoppable, controlling the game and playing composed soccer worthy of moving up a division. Other times they looked out of sorts, finding it difficult to create anything going forward.
With 3 teams fighting for the single promotion spot, it was only right that the last two games of league play were against these teams, both on home soil. With the season on the line, a Sunday fixture against Gastown FC brought nerves and excitement to a game that would decide which team would be playing in Division 1 and the increased TV revenues that go along with it next fall (actually the addition of linesmen in this league is way better than money). Unfortunately, it was a game to be forgotten. A 0-3 deserved loss brought the the Fury’s hopes crashing down. It would be another season in Div 2.
The Point Greysiders supporters club commented on the season. “We are proud of the mighty Fury, showing class through long stretches and the club record 14-game unbeaten streak. It was a devastating end to a bright looking season. We will always continue to support the team and look forward to a strong showing in the Summer league and for the boys to come out fighting in 2013/14”.
A team full of talent and potential, expected to move up will likely see big money transfers into higher divisions. The nature of this business.