U18 rugby players are provincial champions

Local U18 rugby players are among those celebrating winning two provincial championships.

Formed by players from the Bow Valley Rugby Club and a few other Calgary clubs, they beat their northern opponents in the winner-take-all championship games at the Calgary Rugby Park, Aug. 19.

U18 girls' provincial rugby champions. (Photo/Philip Tang)

The U18 girls beat St. Albert, 31-17, in a game that was close until the final quarter, says head coach Sophie Harris, of the Bow Valley club.

"They came out of the gates confident and they were able to execute so well," she says. "They're such a strong, talented group of kids, and as the coach, I was just ecstatic watching them on the side of the pitch."

"It was just so enjoyable to watch these kids that I got the opportunity to coach actually play in a provincial final and then to go on and win. It was just fantastic, and so well deserved."

The team only held a two-point lead coming into the final quarter of the game and they left it all out on the field.

"Those kids executed every single play they came up with. They made the right calls. every time, and won themselves that game. They were just brilliant."

She says there was strong chemistry between the players, despite coming from different clubs. Bow Valley once again joined with the Calgary Saracens and Hornets to form a 15s team.

The U18 boys team beat the Edmonton Clansmen, 24-5, to claim their title.

U18 boys head coach Tyler Hawes couldn't say enough about the effort of their team, including the Bow Valley players.

(Photo contributed)

"They played awesome today," says Hawes. "These guys are all about effort and putting the pressure on the other team to make them make mistakes, and they certainly did that. There was a lot of skill and tenacity in there, too."

The 15s season is now making way for a six-week 7s season.

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