High school rugby wrapped up at the end of last month, with Grade 8 and junior ruby squads at two South Surrey schools showcasing some of their best play this season.
Earl Marriott Secondary's Grade 8 boys won the South Fraser zone championships — the highest level that Grade 8s can play — after winning top title in Surrey, beating rivals Elgin Park and perennial favourite Shawnigan Lake in the process.
"They showcased all the hard work and development they put in the whole season," Grade 8 boys rugby coach Bryn Johnson said.
"It all came together and they played some really exciting, expansive rugby ... from one cold week in February to this ... it just shows the depth of their efforts."
EMS's junior team also performed admirably over the season, coming away third in the province after provincial championships were played May 23-25 in South Surrey.
Headed into the tournament ranked eighth, the junior team lined up against No. 1-ranked St. Georges — for the first game of the entire tournament.
"We actually kicked off the tournament — we were the first game. We ended up upsetting them by 15 to 14 ... I was super proud of the boys," said junior coach Taylor Howes. "It kind of turned the tournament upside down. The boys played just an awesome game and came out firing."
In their second game, they faced the No. 1-ranked team from the Okanagan, Rutland, and beat them as well, before facing local rival Elgin Park Secondary in the semi final.
"Unfortunately, they lost a heartbreaker in that game," Howes said, which put the team in the bronze-medal game vs. Collingwood, which they won.
"The boys played a fantastic game ... they walked away from the tournament with a bronze medal. I'm super, super proud of the guys," Howes noted. "There were lots of ups and downs over the course of the season, and a lot of tough lessons learned ... to end the season third in the province is extremely special."
As for Elgin, their junior team went on to play Robert Bateman in the gold-medal final, which they lost, 37-7, making them the silver medal winners for the entire province, after they won gold at South Frasers the week before.
"The boys pushed hard all season. They played really well," Elgin junior rugby coach Jeff Parker said, noting they beat powerhouse Shawnigan Lake in the process.
Although there were quite a few injuries as the squad headed into their final, "all the boys put their heart into it," Parker said.
"I was incredibly proud of how they walked off the field with their heads high after coming in second in the province. Everybody on the team played with so much heart and soul and really put themselves out there ...it was really impressive to watch."
