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.
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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