The metro Edmonton high school rugby playoffs are underway in the men’s and women’s divisions.
Today in the division two men’s semifinals the Surgeon Spirits (4-0) play the Memorial Marauders (4-1) at the St. Albert Rugby Football Club and the Paul Kane Blues (4-1) line up against the Bev Facey Falcons (4-0) in Sherwood Park. Kickoff times are 4:45 p.m.
The Bellerose Bulldogs (3-2) also scrum down against the J. Percy Page Panthers (3-2) in today’s division three men’s semifinal at 4:45 p.m. at Ellerslie Rugby Park.
Monday’s finals kick off at 4:45 (division two) and 5 p.m. (division three) at Ellerslie.
In the women’s semifinals Tuesday the Blues (4-0) and Harry Ainlay Titans (2-1) hooked up in a rematch of last year’s division two final won by Paul Kane and the Bulldogs (3-2) and Strathcona Lords (4-1) squared-off in division one. Scores were unavailable at press time.
Thursday’s finals are 4:45 (division two) and 6:15 p.m. (division one) at Ellerslie.
The fantastic firsts took it on the chin against the Calgary Irish in Saturday’s Alberta Cup match.
The Irish hammered the defending Labatt’s Cup provincial champions 41-17 in Calgary. It was 15-5 for the Irish (2-0) at halftime.
The firsts (1-1) were awarded a penalty try in the first half and Chad Monai-Brophy and Antony Fitch crossed the try line in the second half.
The firsts are back in Calgary on Saturday to battle the rival Calgary Hornets (2-0) at 3:30 p.m. Last year the firsts stung the Hornets 39-5 for their second provincial title since 2010.
St. Albert standouts Michelle Marler and Sabrina Kelly busted loose for three tries apiece for the defending provincial second division women’s champions in Saturday’s hard-fought 39-26 victory over the Pirates.
Brie Gray also scored a try and Katie Davis kicked two conversions in the Edmonton Rugby Union spring league match at the Pirates Rugby Club.
Megan Lauer was outstanding filling in at scrumhalf and Danica Dreger spearheaded the defensive charge at hooker as St. Albert (3-1) rallied from a 19-7 deficit after the first quarter to lead 24-19 at halftime. It was 34-26 after three quarters.
A prolonged defensive stand in the second quarter after Kelly’s first try cut the lead to 19-12 turned the tide for St. Albert as Marler motored for a pair of lengthy tries before halftime to complete the hat-trick against the Pirates (1-2).
