Chilliwack's G.W. Graham Grizzlies surrounded and outscored East Van's Tupper Tigers in B.C. AA Tier 1 action Wednesday in Abbotsford. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)
Feature High School Rugby

All you can eat: A rugby feast on Day 1 of 2018 BC’s sees a near Mountain-ous upset and West Van’s heart-stopping win!

ABBOTSFORD — We’ve covered Quad-A semifinals in two earlier postings. 

Here’s our look at the rest of the senior varsity happenings from Day 1 of the 2018 B.C. high school rugby championships:

TRIPLE A TIER 1

The West Vancouver Highlanders scored the deciding points off a try as time expired, pulling out a 19-18 win over Abby’s Yale Lions in a dramatic quarterfinal match.

The Highlanders advance to face Tsawwassen’s South Delta Sun Devils in a noon semifinal Thursday at Rotary Stadium.

South Delta was a 31-8 win over Vancouver’s Lord Byng Grey Ghosts.

Abby’s Robert Bateman Timberwolves (right) out-ran Victoria’s Claremont Spartans to a spot in the AAA Tier 1 semifinals. (Photo by Howard Tsumura property of VarsityLetters.ca)

On the other side of the draw:

Langley’s R.E. Mountain Eagles nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in provincial tourney history, taking Surrey’s Earl Marriott Mariners into overtime before falling 29-24.

“Our tackling was incredible and we knew it had to be because they have so many top-level players and we’re a little undersized,” said proud Mountain head coach Rob Hayes, whose team was making its fourth straight B.C. tourney appearance.

Marriott, which began the season in the Quad-A premier league, defeated South Delta 29-25 to win the AAA Tier 1 Fraser Valley title and came in with the No. 1 seed.

“We’re a big group of Grade 11s so next year we’d love to finish in the top four,” added Hayes.

The Mariners advance to face the Chilliwack’s Robert Bateman Timberwolves in a 6 p.m. semifinal on Thursday.

The Wolves were 33-22 winners over Victoria’s Claremont Spartans in their quarterfinal match.

DOUBLE A TIER 1

It’s an all-Vancouver Island semifinal Thursday (2 p.m.) between Mill’s Bay’s Brentwood College and the St. Michaels University School Blue Jags.

Brentwood was a comfortable 79-5 winner over West Vancouver’s Rockridge Ravens while SMUS toppled the Langley Saints 36-14 in opening-day quarterfinal matches.

On the other side of the draw, West Vancouver’s Collingwood Cavs will face Chilliwack’s G.W. Graham Grizzlies in a 4 p.m. semifinal.

Collingwood outscored Vernon’s Clarence Fulton Maroons 55-25 in their quarterfinal match, while the Grizz ended the title hopes of East Van’s Sir Charles Tupper Tigers with a 53-27 victory.

TRIPLE A TIER 2

Abbotsford’s own W.J.Mouat Hawks will face Surrey’s Elgin Park Orcas in a 2 p.m. semifinal on Thursday

Mouat beat Nanaimo District 40-14, while Elgin Park was a convincing 49-5 winner over North Vancouver’s Handsworth Royals.

On the other side of the draw, Surrey’s Fleetwood Park Dragons will clash with the Kelowna Owls in a 6 p.m. semifinal.

Fleetwood Park defeated Victoria’s Belmont Bulldogs 34-10 in their quarterfinal match, while Kelowna beat West Van’s Sentinel Spartans 32-12.

*In Double-A Tier 2 action: Richmond’s R.A. McMath Wildcats defeated Victoria’s Glenlyon Norfolk Gryphons 26-24, and Nelson’s L.V. Rogers Bombers beat North Vancouver’s Sutherland Sabres 25-21.

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