Originally published October 30, 1985
With unseasonably warm temperatures at VCI field, a large partisan crowd in attendance, and the Rural Manitoba nine-man “AA” Football Championship on the line, the Virden Golden Bears “bent but didn’t break” in defeating the Dauphin Clippers 28-26 in Virden Sunday. The Golden Bears, who finished first in the league, were able to outlast their nemesis, Dauphin, in a see-saw affair that saw the lead change hands six times during the course of the game.
Virden came out throwing the football which was, according to quarterback Darren Bradbury, “our game plan”. In all, Bradbury completed 12 of 25 passes for 209 yards. Dale Lewis completed two of three for 32 yards. Virden’s first touchdown was a five-play march down the field, culminating in a 21-yard major to Dale Lewis. Corey Wilton converted and the Bears were early leaders 7-0. Dauphin was unable to mount any offensive thrust in the early going and the Virden offence was surging. However, two interceptions by Dauphin, one on the goal and the other on the 20, prevented Virden from blowing out the Clippers in the first frame.
