LANGLEY — Monday’s Varsity Letters’ B.C. high school rugby report leads off with a re-match of last season’s B.C. Quad-A title final game.
PREMIER LEAGUE
SHAWNIGAN LAKE 52 OAK BAY 19
SHAWNIGAN LAKE — It was a bounce-back match on many levels for the host Stags, not the least of which was its 24-13 loss to Victoria’s Barbs in an epic top-tiered B.C. title derby match last June.
Will Mann scored three tries while Jamin Hodgkins scored once and booted converts on six of eight major scores as Shawnigan triumphed in decisive fashion over the visiting Barbarians in B.C. Premier League action on Friday.
“We were able to put together some nice phases and score some cracking tries,” admitted Stags’ head coach Andrew Doyle, whose team also rebounded from heart-stopping 15-13 loss to St. George’s a week earlier in the Premier opener for both teams.
“That was a good Oak Bay side, especially at 9/10,” Doyle continued. “I think the score flattered Shawnigan. (Oak Bay) could have scored three of four more tries.”
Barbs’ head coach Peter Atkinson, guiding a team coming off a narrow 25-22 loss in its Premier League opener a week ago against Carson Graham, tipped his hat to the Stags.
“They showed that they are keen to regain their title,” said Atkinson. “They played a strong, well-rounded game and really put the pressure on with a smothering defence. That constant pressure eventually led to some missed tackles that resulted in some long-distance tries.”
Brenner Kalava, Ted Champion, Graeme Norris and Ciaran Breen also scored a try apiece in the victory.
Jack Carson, Nick Bamford and Owen Smith all scored tries for Oak Bay, with Carson also kicking a pair of converts.
The Barbs get right back to Premier League business on Tuesday when they play at Surrey’s Earl Marriott Mariners.
Shawnigan’s full first XV won’t take to the field again until its next Premier League game, May 3 at Carson Graham (Klahanie Park).
CARSON GRAHAM 31 EARL MARRIOTT 19
SURREY — Led by the fierce tackling and determined open-field runs of Austin James and Parker Burt, North Vancouver’s visiting Eagles went to 2-0 in Premier League play on Friday, building a 19-0 lead before the young Mariners knew what had hit them.
“That was an eye-opening experience for our boys,” said Mariners head coach Adam Roberts.
“I thought the middle portions of the game were hotly-contested added Roberts, whose team was making its regular-season Premier League debut in the elite, five school loop. “We were able to respond well but in the end it wasn’t enough.”
No. 8 Sam LaRue, captain Erik Neihbur and twins Talon and Takoda McMullin all turned in solid performances for Earl Marriott.
The Eagles will host current No. 1 St. George’s in an April 24 Premier League tilt at Klahanie Park.
NON-CONFERENCE
OKANAGAN
CLARENCE FULTON 19 NORKAM 10
KAMLOOPS — Scoring the game’s final 14 points, all in the second half, and all in unanswered fashion, Vernon’s visiting Maroons built a little early-season momentum with a victory over the host Saints in an exhibition match.
“The second half was better for us,” admitted Maroons’ head coach Mike Scheller whose charges could find no first-half flow and thus trailed 10-5 at the break. “We controlled a lot of the territory and possession in the (second) half and were unlucky not to score a couple more (tries). Our kids played smarter and we moved the ball well offensively.”
Quaid Willett, Dayton Ingenhaag and Reyaan Siddique all scored tries for the winners while Evan Trottier kicked a pair of converts.
Clarence Fulton opens Okanagan Double-A league play Wednesday (4 p.m.) in Kamloops against the host South Kamloops Titans.
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