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Shawnigan’s unparalleled reign continues

Stags claim eighth provincial rugby title in nine years
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The Shawnigan Lake Stags celebrate winning their second AAAA provincial rugby title in as many years and their eighth top-level championship in nine years. (Submitted)

Just in case anyone suspected otherwise, Shawnigan Lake School is still the gold standard for boys rugby in B.C.

The school won its eighth senior boys provincial championship in the last nine years last Saturday, and added its second consecutive junior boys title for good measure.

Shawnigan has won the senior boys AAAA championship as long as it has been awarded, and won six of the previous seven AAA banners before that.

The AAAA designation was created in 2016 so that teams like Shawnigan wouldn’t have to demolish lower-level AAA schools on their way to the championship. Shawnigan still won handily this year, beating Earl Marriott 108-13 in the semifinals before defeating St. George’s 47-15.

St. George’s was the last team besides Shawnigan to win at the highest level in B.C., edging the Stags 15-12 in 2014.

“An outstanding performance both on attack and defence,” Shawnigan head coach Tim Murdy said of his team’s win in Saturday’s final. “The boys played at a different level from the rest of the pack. The future looks bright with our juniors having won the past two provincial titles at their age group.”

Captain Seth Purdey did an excellent job leading the Shawnigan team on and off the pitch, Murdy noted, while vice-captain Ian Leigh was selected for the Commissioner’s XV tournament all-star team.

The Shawnigan junior boys beat Robert Bateman 36-13 in their final. The juniors opened the tournament with a 20-8 win over Collingwood, then beat Carson Graham 17-12 in the semifinals.



Kevin Rothbauer

About the Author: Kevin Rothbauer

Kevin Rothbauer is the sports reporter for the Cowichan Valley Citizen
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