A rugby team from Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer, Alta., stopped in 100 Mile House for a game before heading to Williams Lake, April 16.
The team was on a rugby exchange trip, which will see 27 students from secondary schools in Williams Lake travel to Red Deer in May for reciprocal games.
The 100 Mile Rugby Eagles from Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School and 100 Mile House Junior Secondary hosted the Red Deer senior and junior squads for two games of seven-aside in each division.
The games were the first of the season for the Eagles, who are coached by former Eagle rugby player Matt Leclerc who is currently a substitute teacher for School District 27.
The school rugby program drew a strong response in the junior division this season, with 24 players on the roster.
They put up a tough, back-and-forth fight against Red Deer, losing one game by a moderate margin, and narrowing the margin to only a couple points in the second.
“They came out hard and heavy and made great plays right off the opening kick,” says Leclerc of his junior squad.
“We have a very strong team with the juniors, with lots of rep hockey players this year. They have the right leadership among them and these guys are getting other guys to come out and play.”
Luke Jewitt, a rookie Grade 7 player from Horse Lake Elementary School made his game debut by running the ball nearly 15 metres, dodging two tackles before being brought down by Red Deer.
Grade 10 rookie Bryce Cumiskey also drew attention with a brilliant pass to Derek Leclerc who then ran the ball across three-quarters of the field for a try.
“It was a good start for the juniors because they played the style of good, hard rugby 100 Mile is known for. They play with heart and bring it to their opponent, no matter who they are.”
Response for the senior team was not as strong, with only eight players for what is now, actually the 15-aside season.
They lost both their games after suffering several injuries early in the first game, which put them out of contention.
“Other players had to step into positions they were unfamiliar with. We lost the rhythm of the game and once the other team got the momentum on their side, they didn’t let us get anywhere.”
The coach says he initially believed this season would be one of rebuilding, following a couple of years of the schools going without a rugby program. Now, he’s excited to see how the season unfolds.
“The response, the players and the commitment I’ve got from the players has made me change my attitude toward the season. I would not be surprised if we make a deep run into zones this year.”
Leclerc says support from the schools and from teacher/advisors Tom and Deb Turner, have figured in greatly to getting the season off to a good start. He also has kudos for referee Steve Almond.
“He’s highly appreciated. This isn’t a town with a rugby structure and they’ve all made it easy to run the team.”
