Unseasoned players score big to kick off season

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Aggression and dominance characterized the season’s first rugby game as nearly 20 unversed Strathmore High School players pushed, charged, and tackled their way to an explosive win.
Having only three high school players and two junior high school athletes with knowledge of the game return this season, the team’s inexperience raised much uncertainty heading into the game against Oilfields High.
Yet doubts diminished rapidly when the Strathmore Spartans rugby players stepped onto the field, ran hard, and lit up the scoreboard 55-5 in their favour.
“This was a really good start … (and) a great team effort,” said coach Brad Steele. “With no experience and not knowing how they’re going to play, they played very well. We’ve had some years where they’re more experienced, but maybe not as aggressive. These guys were very aggressive. If this continues we should be very competitive this year.”
Aware of tougher competition on the horizon, such as Banff and Highwood High School, Steele’s focus in the upcoming weeks will address imperfections noticeable in the April 14 game.
Unlike previous teams, the lack of rugby knowledge was evident against the Oilfields High, leading to numerous penalties and overlooked rucks – areas that will need to be refined before opposing a highly-skilled team in the future.
The newly formed 24-member team of Grade 10 to Grade 12 students didn’t just make an impression on the coaches, instead pleasantly surprising former and returning rugby player Riley Johnson, who’s been involved in the sport since Grade 8.
“I’m actually very impressed with how we played, it was a really good game, and I know last year the team wasn’t as strong,” said Johnson. “I didn’t know what to expect from this year to be honest. I wasn’t sure if we were going to come into this year with a lot of players that were just kind of there and didn’t really have the heart, or if we were going to have athletes out there willing to go the distance.
“I’m glad to say that we do have people out here that are willing to put their heart and soul into it and win rugby games. It’s going to be a good year.”
Although no changes have been applied to the coaching methods, Johnson said new and unfamiliar drills have been introduced to practices this year. While he echoed Steele’s observation about aggression, Johnson added that the players’ involvement in other competitive school sports prior to joining the team most likely impacted last week’s game and could pave the way to a successful season.
The Spartans will play Spring on April 21, followed by a game against Holy Trinity on April 27, before returning home to Strathmore to take on Banff on May 4.