The Fulton Maroons have lost by a conversion, and now they have won by one in North Zone senior boys rugby action.
Clark Richardson scored with two minutes remaining, and then booted the convert, as the Maroons outlasted the Kalamalka Lakers 19-17 Thursday at Kal Field.
Jordan Cabrejos and Connor Mackus also scored for Fulton. Richardson was 2-for-3 on converts. The game was tied 12-12 at the half.
“This was a very good high school rugby game,” said Fulton head coach Mike Scheller. “It was entertaining, back and forth, and was as close as the score suggests.
“The Kal kids played very well, as did our kids and we were fortunate to win the game. All Vernon schools are very competitive this year.”
Maroons’ scrum-half Sean Greene directed Fulton’s attack well, eight-man Cabrejos was a force in the loose play, and prop Ray Relling continued to show improvement with his hard-running style.
Fulton ends regular-season play Monday (4 p.m.) by hosting the Immaculata Mustangs of Kelowna at Grahame Park.
In North Zone junior action Thursday, Fulton claimed first overall with a 19-0 win over the host Lakers.
Louis Lins scored a try and kicked two converts, while Max Chapman and Mike Williamson also scored.
“We have good, strong athletes, and they compete hard,” said Scheller. “We did not play the cleanest rugby game, but our kids played hard and made some punishing runs.
“Louis Lins had a great debut at scrum-half,” said Scheller. “He was aggressive defensively and made a couple of great attacking runs.
Williamson showed great speed on the wing, and was a threat to score all game.
Locks Tristan Kenney and Ryan Vadnais were both physical at the breakdown, and hooker Kyle Dennis made some great passes to set up runs for his teammates.
