The Kelowna Owls’ six-year reign as Okanagan Valley senior AAA boys rugby champs is over.
The Mt. Boucherie Bears saw to that with a 17-16 victory over the Owls in valley championships match last Thursday at KSS.
Down 10 at the half and by 13 at one point, the Bears changed their attack tactics and stormed back for the win in the last five minutes.
Boucherie will be making its first appearance in the provincial tournament since 2009.
“The boys played hard and earned this win,” said Bears coach Chris Carter. “We are really looking forward to the provincial championships and will enjoy the experience no matter what.”
KSS coach Dave Marfleet said his team doesn’t possess the depth of some Owls teams of the past.
“We’re pretty young and inexperienced,” Marfleet said. “(The Bears) deserved to win.”
Both Boucherie and KSS will compete in the first round of the provincial post-season this Saturday in Kelowna. The Bears will take on Yale Seconary, while the Owls meet St. Georges.
The Bears are ranked 14th, the Owls 15th.
