The Jasper Cougars Rugby Club wrapped up its season in Jasper facing their long time rivals Drayton Valley, May 25.
The undefeated junior boys decided to borrow a few of Drayton’s seemingly unending supply of players in order to play 10-a-side rugby. Led by Captain Matthew Park the boys continued their dominant style of play and smashed through the Drayton defense several times. The Drayton side improved in the second half, but did not have the firepower to break through Jasper’s solid wall of defense.
The junior boys continued their dominating style during their second game, controlling all aspects of the game to finish the season with a perfect record.
Not to be outdone, the junior girls 15-a-side team also put on a show.
After getting trounced by Drayton a week earlier the girls had something to prove. Led by Captain Hope Deagle and flankers Tess Melanson and Kiara Schaefer the cougars came up hard on defence to make great tackles against a much larger, faster Drayton side. After conceding several tries in the first half, Jasper began to control the ball and made some ground. A series of quick passes down the back line opened up an opportunity for Alex Fengler-Wood to sprint the last 20 metres down the wing and score her first try of the year. Faith Claxton was stopped inches from adding a second try in the last play of the game.
The senior girls also put in a strong effort thanks to an early try by Crimson Derbowka, which gave the Cougars some fire. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough and the team came up just short.
Building on the previous game, the team was able to add to their score sheet in the second game thanks to some great tackles and offloads from Orianna Clark, to her sister Natalie, who was set free for a 30 metre run up the center of the field before being tackled. Teslin Olinkin scored the try in the next phase of play.
Not to be forgotten, the senior boys also showed some promise early on with a heavy physical game, but came up just short losing their first game by a single try.
Unwilling to throw in the towel, the senior boys then played their final game of the season starting off with some encouraging words by coach Alex Rayner, especially aimed at graduating players Brandon Lawson, Joe Merilovich and Chase Thompson.
Encouraged by their coach, the boys came out firing and with the grads laying it all on the line the boys dominated the game and ended up winning 19-0.
Marshall Corbett special to the Fitzhugh
