The Cowichan Piggies rediscovered how it feels to win as they dominated an exhibition rugby match against the Nanaimo Hornets’ second team last Saturday.
Ten different players scored tries in Cowichan’s blowout win, and captain Jenner Teufel found his groove, slotting 11 of 13 conversion opportunities.
“That was just incredible, regardless of the situation,” Cowichan coach Andrew Wright said.
The Piggies went up to Nanaimo with a similar lineup to the team that had lost to Nanaimo’s first team a week earlier, with a few changes as they squared off against the second team, composed of Vancouver Island University players and a handful of club members.
“They’re trying to get a program going at the school,” Wright explained. “This was their first game since last spring. We had some guys in new positions, and some guys who were new to senior men’s rugby.”
Wright expressed his hopes that the big win for Cowichan didn’t hamper Nanaimo’s efforts to get a VIU team up and running.
“I think they just didn’t show up on the day, and it compounded on them,” he said.
After struggling in the fall portion of the First Division season and losing their second-half opener to Nanaimo’s first team on Jan. 21, the Piggies needed a big victory to remind them how it feels.
“It’s always good to win and get the feeling of winning and know what that’s all about,” Wright said. “It’s always good to know we can win.”
The Piggies will try to carry the momentum into their home game this Saturday against the Port Alberni Black Sheep. Kickoff is at noon.
“Preparing for Port, that was a good game to refresh our systems,” Wright said. “I was pleased with what we did and what we accomplished on the day.”
