The Vernon Jackals closed out the Okanagan Rugby Union season by gonging the West Kelowna Grizzlies 24-12 Sunday at Grahame Park.
Corey Webb supplied a pair of tries, while Dion Kaszas and Devin Hospes each had one try and Rob Miles went 2-for-4 on conversions.
“We played much better than the previous week, and we got some guys back from injury which helped our club,” said Jackals’ veteran scrum-half Mike Scheller.
“It was a game where we held the majority of territory and ball possession. I thought all of our players did a very good job in the rucks and mauls, and we maintained possession of the ball throughout the match.
“We tackled much better in defence this week, and it showed in a positive game result. It was a game we deserved to win. West Kelowna has some explosive players and they are always a threat score.”
Scheller said (Kiwi) Dan Eyles returned after a three-game absence and showed why he is the Jackals’ best all-around player.
“He was all over the field, and made about four kill-shot tackles. Pearse Wylie made his debut at eighth man, and played very well,” added Scheller. “He gave us lots of good balls off the base of the scrum, and he tackled well. Corey Webb played awesome on the wing for us. He was aggressive on attack, and he definitely has a nose for the try line.”
Hospes, lining up at fullback, made a lot of key one-on-one tackles to earn Longhorn Man of the Match in the backs. Lock Eric Grottenrod was tough in the loose play and turned in his best game of the season.
Vernon (3-5) will not play in the ORU final for the first time in the league’s three-year history. The two-time defending champs split with the Kelowna Crows, Merritt Barbarians and West Kelowna, and lost twice to the Penticton Harlequins.
The last week of league play is Saturday, July 7, and Vernon has a bye. The ORU final is July 14 between Merritt and Penticton, (host TBA).
Vernon’s next action will be July 7 when they are in Prince George to play the Gnats, Terrace and Prince Rupert in a tournament.
