The kids are alright.
The Mount Baker Wild rugby squad won two games over regional rivals in Rossland and Nelson during a pair of matches on Friday afternoon at Parkland Middle School.
The Wild faced down a team out of Rossland Secondary School for their first match, winning by 26-20 on tries from Tallon Creber, Logan Marion and a pair from Sid Verma. Creber also added three conversions.
Head Coach Sean Sinclair described it as a very physically demanding game.
“It was a little higher scoring, but it was a very physical, very hard-hitting game,” Sinclair said.
“…It kind of went back and forth a bunch of times and I think we ended up winning on converts.”
The Rossland squad was short a few bodies, so the two teams agreed to field 11 players a side, which opened up the field a bit and created more scoring opportunities, added Sinclair.
Their following match was their most anticipated one of the season, as they faced L.V. Rogers Secondary—a team out of Nelson that has been undefeated for the last few years.
After a battle on the pitch, the match ended with a score of 17-14 in favour of the Wild. Tries came from Branden Metters, Matt Rushworth and Sid Verma, while Tallon Creber had three conversions.
Sinclair’s squad had faced them before and lost, however, it was a close match even though the Wild had been held scoreless.
Beating them this time was a big team accomplishment, Sinclair added.
“This time, to actually be able to compete and put in a couple [tries] against them and eventually end up higher in the scoreboard was pretty cool,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair said his team’s rucking ability and aggressive backs were instrumental towards the win.
“Our backs are starting to see holes now, and accelerate through them, so now the Nelson defence is on their back foot and struggling to hold us,” he said.
The two teams will meet in Nelson this Wednesday where the stakes are a lot higher, as they battle for regional representation at provincials.