Spartans end season on high note

Times Editor

 

It was a thrilling weekend for the Strathmore Spartans girls rugby team, as they hosted the ASAA 2011 Rugby Provincial Championship June 10-11.

After a team from one of the zones had to pull out of the competition, the girls earned a spot in the tournament as a host team. In fact, the Spartans nearly qualified for provincials on their own, losing their zone game in overtime.

However, once in the tournament, the girls had a fantastic weekend of play. The Spartans won the seventh place game 23-5, after losing their first two games to the eventual provincial champs from Raymond and the consolation winners from Ross Sheppard.

According to Spartans head coach Jerry Flaws, it was definitely a case of saving their best game for their last.

“They played amazing,” said Flaws of their win over Foothills Composite. “They kind of really saved everything for the end. It was a rival team and they really stepped up. 

“To come up to Tier 1 girls – against the best teams in the province – and to get a win is a great accomplishment for our program. It speaks highly to what our girls can accomplish if we really get enough people to come out and play the game.”

According to Flaws, the Spartans move the ball really well to the outside and utilize their team speed to create chances.

The Spartans hosted the tournament at the Calgary Rugby Union, where over 30 teams took part in the tournament, playing on four fields.

FP Walshe won the gold medal in Tier 2 girls, Banff won the Tier 2 boys, Raymond won the Tier 1 girls and Medicine Hat won the Tier 1 boys.

“The university scouts were out, the Alberta scouts were out,” said Flaws. “They get exposed to some really good rugby out here.”