St. Albert’s first 15 in men’s rugby have a score to settle after losing their third provincial final in four years.
“The incentive is high, big time,” said forward Kyle Baillie. “Obviously we want to show that we’re the top team in Alberta.”
Last year the Calgary Hornets stung the 2010 champions 31-13 at provincials for their second Labatt’s Cup in three years.
“Hopefully we can shake that off,” Baillie said. “We want to get to the final, do our business and get another championship.”
The premier team kicks off the 2012 fixtures May 12 against the Strathcona Druids in Sherwood Park or at Ellerslie Rugby Park.
“We’re very excited. Hopefully we’ll have another big year again,” Baillie said.
The season opener will mark the debut of Gareth Scott as the head coach of the men’s program at the St. Albert Rugby Football Club. Scott replaces Chal Smyth, who is coaching the Druids this year after compiling a 51-10 record during the premier team’s four-year provincial run.
“I had Gareth two years ago when I first started at the club and I thought he was a great coach,” Baillie said. “It will be interesting to see what he is going to do this year.”
Baillie is confident the lethal combination of returning players, gifted newcomers and talented imports will put the firsts back on top.
“Not only do we have a lot of great players here, we also have a great core group of guys. Everyone fights hard for each other. We’re a really close-knit team and it really shows on the pitch.”
Two years ago Baillie joined the premier team after arriving from Summerside, P.E.I. and immediately became an impact player at second row in the first Labatt’s Cup championship victory in St. Albert’s history.
“The club atmosphere is great. I just love the camaraderie with the guys here. It’s just a great club to play for,” said the 21-year-old landscaper.
In his second season the six-foot-four forward made a rare appearance at loosehead prop when the firsts were short of front row players for a match. He also played eight-man with the Atlantic Rock in the Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) circuit and will miss a portion of the May schedule with the team in Victoria.
Two years ago he spent time with the Rock, the inaugural CRC winners, and helped the Newfoundland Junior Rock defeat the Vancouver Wave 13-10 in the Rugby Canada U20 national final in St. John’s. It was the first Newfoundland win against a B.C. team at any level in rugby.
“It’s definitely a privilege and an honour to play for the Rock. I’m from P.E.I. and it’s great to represent my home,” Baillie said. “The Rock also do a lot of stuff with you one on one. We have lots of video sessions so you always see yourself play and it helps you become a better player.”
Duncan Maguire, the top scorer on the firsts last year, 2011 national sevens player Kyle Gilmour, scrumhalf Jake Robinson and Adam Bontus in the backs also played in the CRC last year with the Calgary-based Prairie Wolf Pack. Only Bontus is expected to be in the starting line-up against the Druids. The other three are playing in Australia.
SCRUM BALLS: Appointments are being accepted for the third annual SARFC Spring Cleanup Fundraiser. The cost is $125 per yard. Included is rake and removal of debris, general lawn mow, garden bed cleanup and removal of organic material. All monies raised will be put back into the men’s program to assist with transportation expenses, equipment needs and costs associated with bringing in import players. Bookings are done by email at [email protected] or by calling 780-299-4537.
