Spartans rugby finally hits the field for Big Sky season

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

The Big Sky Rugby season got underway with some positive results for both Strathmore High School sports programs.
The female Spartan squad lambasted the Bow Valley High School Bobcats 35-5 May 2 in Cochrane.
Literally hitting the ground running, the Spartans ran their first two possessions to the house, when McKenna Blades and Kaitlyn Stewart converted a pair of tries.
“We were a lot stronger than (the Bobcats). Once we scored on our first two possessions, we started moving players around to get everyone involved and to get them experience at different positions,” said Spartans Head Coach Jerry Flaws.
The Spartans, like many teams in the league, are still trying to find their footing outside after a lengthy winter season kept them indoors for a period of time that was longer than anyone expected. Enjoying a laugher this early in the season definitely helps moving forward.
“We still have a lot of areas to improve on. We made some silly mistakes later on, but that’s going to happen when people are playing their first games of rugby,” said Flaws.
Now outside for every practice, the Spartans can move into more structured practices and away from working on basic skills, as they prepare for the 3A South Central Zone tournament in two weeks’ time.
But before the Spartans can dream of signing any zone banners, they had to deal with the Oil Fields High School Drillers, who they hosted May 9 at the high school field.
The short rugby season wraps up soon, as the last chance to witness a Spartan home game goes May 17 when they host the Highwood High School Mustangs.
The boys rugby program tipped off in their first action of the spring in Okotoks May 3 against the Foothills Composite High School Falcons.
The Falcons, who are predominantly a powerhouse in the Big Sky conference, doubled up the Spartans 34-17.
“It was the first game of the season and first game ever for seven of our players. I think we played very well as a team up against a really strong team, but I think if this was our third game of the season, we would have had a better chance at winning,” said Spartans Head Coach Brad Steele. “Once we get a little more experience, we will be fine.”
The Spartans picked up some valuable experience May 5 in High River during the annual Highwood Mustangs 7s tournament.
A much faster, spread out game compare to the Big Sky conference, which has 15 players per side, the Spartans got out and ran, moved the ball quicker and picked up a pair of wins in their first two games.
In the finals, they were pinned against the Rundle College Cobras and lost.
“We were out-sized and out-gunned against Rundle, but we put in a really good effort. We were right with them in the first half, but they pulled away in the second half. I give my guys credit, they didn’t give up any easy tries,” said Steele.
The Spartans put the experience they gathered the week prior onto the field May 9 when they hosted the Oil Fields High School Drillers in their second-last home game of the season.
The final home game is slated for May 17 when they host the W.H. Croxford High School Cavaliers at the Strathmore High School field.