Senior Rugby 2018 Wrap Up

By Frank Stanley The senior boys rugby team wrapped up another successful season last weekend, when the boys travelled to Abbotsford, BC, to compete in the provincial championships. 2018 marks the ninth consecutive season the boys have achieved this important marker of success. This year, the Gryphons went into the championships as the defending Double A Tier II champions and, once again, the only Single A school in attendance.Unfortunately, defending the championship would prove to be a challenging and difficult task. A close loss in the first game to RA McMath Secondary School put the Gryphons on the back foot and out of contention for banner. The game against McMath, however, was an exciting one and a heartbreaker. Indeed, going into the final minute of play the Gryphons held a 24-19 lead and only a series of very questionable calls by the referee allowed the opposition to find the small window of opportunity they needed tie the score and win the game on the ensuing conversion. Final score: McMath 26 GNS 24. A disappointing loss to say the least, but the Gryphons showed their determination by winning their next two games and securing a bronze medal finish with a strong 34-14 victory over Sutherland Secondary School. All in all, another rewarding trip to the provincial championships and a great learning experience for all concerned and especially for those players returning to the team next year. And the fact remains, as the only Single A school competing in the tournament we can continue to lay claim to the title “strongest Single A rugby program in the province.”