A couple of posts ago, I raved about the Varsity Girls' Rugby program at my old school, Barrie North, and the pretty nifty things that are happening there thanks to the group efforts of a handful of generous, talented chaps. I even included, in all hubris, some of the great snaps that I captured at the semifinal game vs Bear Creek. I would be remiss if I didn't brag equally loudly about the Sr and Jr Boys' Rugby programs and the success they earned recently at the hands of Innisdale and Nantyr Shores.
To RECAP:
The rugby program at Barrie North is alive and well thanks to Mike Alcombrack, Burke Erwin, Adam Claus, Alex Griffin, and Gary Krauser ... well, the 2023 version anyway, since another equally awesome dude name Rich Jessome stepped away this year for personal reasons. He was integral in building the foundation of the Girls' program for the past 5 years. As perviously outlined, although it is collaboration in its truest sense, it is Alcombrack and Claus that steer the Sr ship while assisting Erwin as he steers the Jr ship, then support Griffin + Krauser whenever possible.
The SEMIS:
The Sr Boys, on the strength of tremendous regular season success, earned the #2 seed in the playoffs pitting them against Eastview in the quarters and Innisdale in the semis. While the class of the AAA loop has been the #2 seeded Vikings and #1 seeded Collingwood Fighting Owls, it's fair to say that there is a great deal of parity from top to bottom. Add to this the rash of injuries that the Vikings endured throughout the season, and the forecast of a cracker type game was both accurate and enticing. The lineup sent out onto the pitch on behalf of North was the closest to their starting 15 they've featured since the very first game of the season way back in late April ... way back ... (grin) the high school season for rugby is ridiculously short.
Feeling privileged to represent, I was front and center with my trusty Nikon, as the Vikings stormed out of the gate scoring early and often route to a 17-3 halftime lead. Even as the substitutes ran on to the pitch, eager for a taste of semifinal action, the was nary a misstep as the Viking's shape, form, organization, and execution resulted in a 32-10 convincing win, a score that does nothing to celebrate how valiant and determined the Invaders were in a losing cause. Thanks to well rehearsed sequencing, the Vikings retained the lion's share of the possession, forcing the Invaders on the defensive for much of the game, but shy away from the task they did not, as player after player "stuck their heads in the spokes" in an effort to force North's hand.
The win gives the Vikings a rare opportunity.
Collingwood visited North in the final regular season game, and after a hotly contested affair that featured equal parts powerful offense and staunch defence, the Owls came away with a 7-5 victory, earning the #1 seed. North has now earned the privilege of payback, travelling to Collingwood's Harbourview Park on Thursday, June 1st for a 2:00 pm literal Clash of the Titans. The winner, of course, will earn the right to represent GBSSA at the annual AAA OFSAA Boys' Rugby championships, to be held this year at Medway High School in Arva, ON, just north of London, from June 8-10, 2023.
You'd do yourself a favour to make the trek to 'The Wood" to catch this one!
Not to be outdone, the Jr Vikings had but a nanosecond to celebrate their Sr counterpart's glory, before taking the pitch for their own semifinal against the visiting Nantyr Shores Tritons, a team that despite being the #6 seed was certainly dangerously fit and tidy. The tale of the tape was more appropriately a tale of two halves, with Nantyr looking every bit the spoiler, offering up some brilliant play on the back of some incredible singular efforts to hold the lead 17-12 at the half. While the first 10 minutes of the second half was a combatist's dream with both teams stepping up their physicality, there came a point about midway where the step of the Viking's seemed to hasten, just a shade. Thanks largely to the thunderous runs of OC Evan Mino, North threatened the Triton in-goal on a number of occasions before notching the game winning try+conversion, then holding Nantyr at bay for the final 6 minutes of the game.
The 19-17 victory earned the Jr Vikes the right to host underdog Eastview, upset victors over a heavily favoured Collingwood Jr side that had not lost a game all season. North will host the game with a kick off of 3:00 pm. Like their Sr counterparts, the Jr winner will earn the right to represent GBSSA at the annual Barbarian Cup, the unofficial Jr championships for Ontario, to be held in Bellville, ON, on June 11-12, 2023.
Unfortunately, a retirement scheduling conflict means that I won't be able to be at the Jr game, but I'll be on the edge of my seat, waiting for some news around 4:30.
I'll be at the Sr game in Collingwood, partly because I'm compelled to as a former Viking, partly since it's almost in my backyard now that I live in Wasaga Beach, but mainly because the 2:00 pm kick off means I can make my previous engagement ... I'm golfing with some really good friends!
Will I see you on the sidelines in Collingwood?
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