The North Island rugby season kicked off with both high school and club matches last weekend, and more action is on tap in the coming weekend.
Campbell River Athletics’ U14 Boys were defeated at home 88-19 by the Cowichan Piggies Sunday. Riory Young had two tries and two conversions for the home team while Noah Poustie scored another try. The score made the game sound very one-sided but one Cowichan player with Team BC experience scored more than 50 of the Piggies’ points, so the majority of the game was actually a well-matched event.
The two teams will next join forces to face Capilano Rugby Football Club of North Vancouver on Sunday, March 29, in Cowichan. The team is coached by Jim Ebert, Chris Boldt and Kevin Seibert.
Campbell River’s new combined High School Girls Team had its first match last Wednesday and fell 40-5 to an experienced Mark Isfeld Secondary of Courtenay. Carihi’s Sam Atkinson had a strong game at fly half and scored the team’s single try, earning her the “Woman of the Match” jersey.
The Carihi/Timberline girls face GP Vanier and Mark Isfeld again today at GP Vanier in Courtenay in a 7-a-side event, which is the Olympic version of rugby.
The team is still looking for new recruits grades 8-12 and anyone interested can contact Erin Young at 250-202-7642.
Practices are after school on Mondays at Carihi and Wednesdays (unless there’s a game) at Timberline. The team is led by Young, Jessica Leck and former Canada player Marie-Eve Brindamour-Carignan.
The Carihi Secondary School boys team kicks off its 2015 North Island Senior Boys rugby campaign Thursday, March 19, with a 3:30 p.m. home match against Courtenay rivals Mark Isfeld Secondary.
“Both programs are playing their first game of the season so it should be an energetic and entertaining matchup,” Carihi coach Darren Munro said. “Carihi has a good mix of veteran players as well as some new athletes who will be lacing up the boots for the first time. These student athletes could really use some support, so if you like good fast and entertaining rugby action come on down to Carihi this Thursday and cheer on the lads.”
The U14 girls club team also kicks off its season this Sunday, traveling to Nanaimo to face Castaway-Wanderers of Victoria.
Meanwhile, assistant coach Georgia Bellamy has been accepted as a coach with the charity Gainline Africa. Bellamy will be travelling to Uganda in June promoting our accessible game to children there.
The “littlest” rugby players in town, the Campbell River Athletic’s Minis (ages 6-11), are headed to Nanaimo Rugby Football Club under the guidance of coaches Kevin Quin, John Penhall and Dan Tomlinson on Sunday to play in their first Spring Jamboree. U8’s play touch rugby and the U10’s will be playing a graduated tackle version of the game.
