Shawnigan has reached new heights of Provincial rugby excellence.

The 1^st XV earned a nervy win over St. George’s on Saturday, to win the inaugural BC Boys ‘AAAA’ Championship.

With hundreds of supporters filling the grandstand of a rainsoaked Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford, Shawnigan fell behind early when St. George’s pushed over the try-line two minutes into the game.

Trailing 5-0, Shawnigan gained plenty of ball possession early on, but couldn’t penetrate a stingy Saints defence.

Conditions also played a big factor in the game, with both teams guilty of midfield turnovers and both electing to frequently kick the ball away from danger. “We don’t want to change how we play,” said Shawnigan Captain Mostyn F. of the wet ground, “We want to adapt.” Shawnigan shortened up passes and secured ball possession, finally puncturing the Saints line when Carson O. plowed through several tackles late in the first half. The try was successfully converted by Nicky M. just as the halftime whistle sounded, giving the Black and Gold a 7-5 lead midway through the contest.

Eight minutes into the second half, St. George’s retook the lead off a penalty kick after a Shawnigan offside violation 20 metres out.

Minutes later, the game swung in Shawnigan’s favour thanks to a terrific run from Seth P. Soaring up the middle of the pitch, the outside centre galloped deep into Saints territory before finally being brought down 15 metres from the goal line. Regaining possession, Shawnigan worked the ball down the line to Seth, who capitalized on the field position his own run had created. “He’s done that all year long, and that’s why he’s an under-18 international player, Coach Tim Murdy said of Seth’s game-changing run. “He’s an outstanding attacker with a natural athleticism,” Murdy added. Seth had been one of four players on the 1^st XV (along with Mostyn F., Carson O., and Nick C.) who had joined Canada’s under-18 squad for a tour of Ireland in March.

Leading 12-8, Shawnigan withstood a furious final push from St. George’s, including one sequence that saw the ball inches from the goal line and another clever kick that just drifted over the end line before a speedy Saints back could reach it.

The simple, defensive play paid off, and full-time soon confirmed Shawnigan’s triumph.

“Everyone’s feeling good” Mostyn F. grinned as his squad prepared to receive the championship banner. “Everyone worked super hard for this, and we got the result we were hoping for.”

Mostyn is one of 12 graduating players in the Shawnigan starting lineup, and admits that saying goodbye to his teammates will be hard. “I couldn’t be more grateful for the boys I’ve been able to experience this with,” Mostyn said. “Now it’s on to the next stage for everybody, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Coach Murdy gave credit to St. George’s for a valiant effort in Saturday’s gritty final. “They’re an outstanding team” Murdy said, adding “we knew it was going to be a close game.”

 

Shawnigan’s win concludes a weekend that saw the School win championships in all three Provincial tournaments. On Friday, the Colts beat Carson Graham Secondary 29-3 to win the first-ever junior boys Provincial tournament. Earlier on Saturday, Shawnigan’s Girls XV earned a 34-7 win over Abbotsford to win the Girls ‘AA’ event.

Shawnigan also won the boys and girls CAIS Championships earlier in the season, giving a School steeped in rugby tradition a historic sweep for its Centennial year.