Thirds in ERU semifinals

The Edmonton Rugby Union playoffs kick off Saturday in Edson for St. Albert’s third division team.

Game time between the thirds and the Axmen is 2 p.m.

The thirds placed fifth at 7-4, two points behind the fourth-place Grande Prairie Centaurs (6-4-1). The thirds had two more points than Grande Prairie, but the Centaurs had four more bonus points for two extra points overall in the division table.

Friday’s 29-10 victory over the Strathcona Druids (5-6) in Sherwood Park in the last game of the season put the thirds in the playoff mix.

Last month the thirds lost 41-29 to the first-place Axmen (10-1) in Edson.

The winner will play the Clansmen (9-2) or Nor’Westers (8-3) in the Sept. 22 Visser Cup final for the right to play the Calgary Rugby Union champion in the Sept. 29 provincial final.

Seconds done for the season

St. Albert’s second 15 closed out one of the worst seasons in club history with their 12th loss in 14 matches Saturday.

In the season finale the third-place Lep/Tigers (10-4) racked up 13 tries and five conversions in the 75-10 blowout at Ellerslie Rugby Park. At halftime it was 34-0.

It was 70-0 when standoff Luke Richardson kicked a penalty in the 71st minute. Three minutes later, scrumhalf Jon Anderson scored a try and kicked the conversion.

The thirds had no bench support in their fifth loss in a row.

Last year they finished 8-5 overall after going 7-7 in 2010.

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