The Cowichan Piggies ventured last Saturday into territory that hasn't often been kind to them, but returned as the conquering heroes after beating the Port Alberni Black Sheep 28-3 in a key First Division rugby test.
"That's a good result for us, especially up there," head coach Gord McGeachy said. "They were missing a few bodies, a few key players, but for the most part, it was a really solid effort from us."
The match started off relatively even, but the Piggies got on the board first with a try from Rob McDonnell that went unconverted. Tate Rose followed that up with another unconverted score to make it 10-0 before the Black Sheep got all their points for the day on a penalty goal. At the end of the half, Peter Budina slotted a drop goal, and Cowichan led 13-3 at the midway point.
The second half started similar to the first, but the Piggies got the first points once again on another drop goal by Budina at the 15-minute mark. Jenner Teufel scored a try seven minutes later and kicked the conversion, Cowichan's first and only of the game. Andrew Gudmundseth finished the scoring off, giving his team a fourth try and a valuable bonus point in the standings.
"It was a pretty solid team effort," McGeachy said. "The forwards played well as a unit. I think the biggest thing was our team defence. We tackled well as a team; they're not an easy team to keep off the scoreboard."
The Piggies will be at home to the Nanaimo Hornets this Saturday, kicking off at 1 p.m.
"We're looking to gain a little more traction in the standings," McGeachy said. "And avenge a pretty embarrassing loss earlier in the season."