The L.V. Rogers boys Bombers finished 13th at the recent senior boys rugby provincials in Abbotsford — but made the eventual champions earn their crown.
The Bombers were handed a tough draw as they entered the 16-team championship ranked at the bottom of the pack.
“The ranking was not in any way a result of the team’s performance this season — they only lost one league game — but it was because they did not get a chance to play any ranked AA teams this season,” says vice-principal Frank Marisco.
As a result, the Bombers played their first game against the top seed and ultimately tournament champion Collingwood from West Vancouver. They didn’t have their best outing, but still gave Collingwood more than they bargained for, eventually losing 36-10.
“We probably were the best competition they had out of their four games,” Marisco says. “We gave them a real hard game. They were shocked. They couldn’t believe it.”
The way the tournament worked, teams that lost their first game could finish no higher than ninth, so LVR was relegated to the second half of the pool.
The second match of the tournament was against No. 9 seed Kalamalka.
“The game was scrappy from the start and penalties eventually took their toll on LVR,” Marisco says. At the final whistle it was Kalamalka 19, LV Rogers 12.
However, Game 3 was a turning point for the team and they came out firing on all cylinders.
Playing against 12th-ranked Okanagan Mission, Marisco says the boys controlled all aspects of the game and beat the Kelowna school 27-5.
LVR’s final game against Southridge of White Rock was a 22-20 victory, securing 13th place in the tournament.
Marisco says Jesse Yanke played his best game of the season, “tackling everything that moved,” and scoring two tries. Quinn Cowie was LVR’s selection to the Commissioner’s XV.
LVR showed improvement, as last year, they lost all four games, while this year won two of four.