The Bayside Sharks made a few too many mistakes – at inopportune times – against first-place James Bay in CDI Premier Rugby League action Saturday, and the gaffes turned a would-be upset into a 32-23 win for the visiting Vancouver Island side.
“We talked all week about not giving James Bay easy territory, not giving them easy points – but then we did,” said Bayside coach David Benoit.
“We gave them two or three easy tries. Now, James Bay is good, but they’re not that good, and that’s a game, in our home park, that we should’ve won.”
Peter Clifford led the scoring for Bayside with three penalty kicks and two conversions, while Brodie Henderson and Senirusi (Bruce) Rauqe each added tries.
The Sharks were never out of the game and trailed just 29-23 with 10 minutes to go, but a few missed opportunities – caused by overly aggressive decisions with the ball, Benoit said – cost the team points on the scoreboard.
Still, loss aside, Benoit was happy with his team’s overall performance.
“We were right in this game the whole time,” he said.
“We have a good team, but this is the toughest league in Canada and we’re right there knocking on the door.
“Our goal is to just make it to playoffs. Then anything’s possible.”
The head coach was also pleased with the play of Henderson, who leads the premier league with seven tries; Clifford, who is second in the league in points; and fullback Cody Rockson, who is in his first year with the Sharks.
“Cody’s played real well for us at fullback,” Benoit said.
Bayside travels to Victoria this Saturday for a game against the UVic Vikings – a team that features a handful of former Sharks now attending university in the provincial capital. Keaton Styles, Adam Kleeberger and Tony LaCarte are all expected to suit up for the Vikes this weekend.
In first division action, the Sharks knocked off James Bay 48-7, while the Bayside thirds beat SFU 40-24.
