Both sides
prepare to
scrum during
a rainy game
of rugby on
Saturday,
June 23 in
Drumheller/ Submitted
Despite a delayed start due to lightening, the Badlands Bulldogs & Red Deer Titans 3rd Division Rugby team hosted the final Drumheller home game of the regular season at the Drumheller Valley Secondary School (DVSS) field on Saturday night, June 23, under ominous skies.
The first half was close, with the Calgary Knights opening the scoring after 20 minutes of competitive rugby. Undeterred the Bulldogs/Titans broke through the defence and scored minutes later. Kicker Lonnie Amundson converted the try bringing the score to 7-5 in favour of the home side at half time. Dedicated onlookers braved the storm and were treated to an electric second half with the Bulldogs/Titans moving the ball well despite the weather and their forward pack dominating in the scrum.
“The knights are always a very tough team and as expected they brought a good side. Fortunately we were up to the task. We were happy to come away with a win considering their skill and physicality” said Coach Sean Tindall. The superb forwards performance was complemented by some fast thinking and quick feet from the backs, resulting in a total of four trys for the home side, bringing the final score to 22-5. That’s 3 for 3 at home this season. This was the first game for Bulldogs player Garrett Copp, who previously played University Football; experience which he readily applied to his new position at Flanker. The game also saw Ron Silva return to the field for the first time following a shoulder injury. Originally from Sri Lanka, Silva previously played professional rugby in Canada and overseas and recently coached the Stettler Wildcats girls’ rugby team through an undefeated season, which ended with a Silver medal at the provincial championships.
“I was concerned joining a new team and it was my first game following my injury but the team welcomed me and gave me the courage to play my first game back. We played as a unit” said Silva.
This was also the first outing of the Bulldogs jerseys since the addition of 2018 Gold Sponsors Cervus Equipment of Trochu and Drumheller’s logo.
“We’re so thankful to Cervus for supporting the club,” said April Harrison from the Bulldogs. “We have four players from Three Hills and Trochu which just underlines that this team is open to anyone from the area that’s interested in giving rugby a try.”
The Bulldogs/Titans face Calgary Irish for the return game in Calgary on Sat., July 13 at 7:30 p.m. Badlands Rugby Football Club (RFC) is a new rugby club training out of Drumheller. The club welcomes both male and female players aged 16 and older. No experience necessary. Training is held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the DVSS field. The Bulldogs team is combining with Red Deer Titans for the 2018 season to enter a 3rd Division (developmental) men’s squad into the Calgary Rugby Union league. The women are also joining Red Deer for the Women’s Development League.
For more information, visit the RFC facebook page at BadlandsRFC.
