Local U19s push Velox aside
Cowichan Rugby Club’s Under 19 men’s team is off to the provincial final after capturing the island title with a convincing 38-5 win over Velox Sunday at the Herd Road Grounds.
Cowichan’s squad, made up of players from Cowichan Secondary, Ladysmith Secondary, Frances Kelsey Secondary and Shawnigan Lake School, went to town on Velox early.
Mike Needham scored the first try following a fine back movement and forward drive.
Velox fought back to pressure the Cowichan line, but the home team held firm and added to its total when Cameron Hall made a fine weaving run and touched the ball down between the posts.
Hall also converted to make it 12-0.
Velox got on the board with an unconverted try, but Ladysmith’s Quinton Ogden, who’s also a prominent baseball player, replied for Cowichan and Hall converted to bring the halftime score to 19-5.
Cowichan dominated the second half and strong defence kept Velox from adding any tries.
Gregor Grantham added a pair of tries, barging over from close to the line, and Jenner Teufel slipped over from a five-metre scrum.
Hall kicked two more converts to complete the scoring.
“The game was a keenly-contested affair with some fine rugby being played by both teams,’’ observed Cowichan manager Barkley Logan.
Cowichan now travels to Vancouver Saturday for a kick at the B.C. title. The UBC Old Boys Ravens will be the opposition at 2 p.m. at Jericho Park.
“We weren’t the expected team to be in the final,’’ said coach Gary Dukelow.
“It’s a good story for Cowichan. We’re trying to develop our foundation. We’ve lost a lot of players. We’ve really tried to focus on this program.’’
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