The Port Alberni Black Sheep kept the pressure on Castaway Wanderers in a scoreless second half to win their BC Rugby Union game 17-14 on Saturday. It was the Black Sheeps’ first game back since before Christmas.
“It’s always so tough when you’ve been off for what seems like forever,” Black Sheep coach Jas Purewal said. “I was very happy with the effort. It was very physical in the second half; I thought we had a lot of territory and a lot of control.”
Neil Thurley scored a try, two conversions and a penalty kick while Sti Rokotuiwakaya scored a try to round out scoring.
Castaway drew first blood but the Black Sheep quickly went ahead 10-7 then 17-7. The Wanderers scored a try with 10 minutes left in the first half after the Black Sheep blew their coverage, but Port Alberni shut down the CW offence in the second half.
The win wasn’t enough for the Black Sheep to capture the Times Cup, though. The UVic Norsemen scored bonus points in their final game and edged Port Alberni by two points to take the title.
The Black Sheep are on the road in Cowichan this weekend to play the Piggies in Cowichan Cup play, where they still have a shot at the title.
SCRUM NOTES…The Black Sheep aren’t home again until Saturday, Feb. 7 to host Nanaimo Hornets at 1 p.m.
editor@albernivalleynews.com
