Shawnigan Lake School won the senior boys and colts matches last Saturday as their school squared off with Brentwood College in the annual South Cowichan clash, but Brentwood did manage to prevail in the senior girls contest.
The Brentwood girls got by Shawnigan 29-10, but Brentwood coach Marius Felix acknowledged that Shawnigan was missing several key players, and he anticipates a closer battle when the same teams meet at Brentwood this Friday at 4 p.m. in the Island AA championship game.
"I think Friday will be a different story," he said. "They'll be ready to bring it. We've got to be ready. They're a good team."
In the first game between the rivals, back in April, Brentwood won 24-20.
With two well-matched squads, Felix believes both teams are trying to figure out how to cancel out each other's best players.
"I'm sure that's what they're thinking about us, too," he said.
Shawnigan coach Tanja Ness is looking forward to the rematch.
"As coaches we are extremely proud of our girls," she said. "They played with heart and showed many of the new rugby skills they have learned this year. We had a tough match against Brentwood this last weekend. However, as a team that is gearing up for the Island finals and provincials we are grateful that we were able to be challenged."
Brentwood boys coach Shane Thompson had to shake off his team's loss to Shawnigan. Brentwood is a AA team, while Shawnigan is a AAA powerhouse.
"It's just two different teams," he said "We're not at the same level in terms of the players they're getting."
Brentwood will play host to St. Michael's University School this Friday at 4:30 p.m. Shawnigan's next home game will be against G.P. Vanier next Tuesday.