A standout in both rugby and football, Brock Gowanlock is a talented multi-sport athlete, but golf is clearly not on his list of favourite activities.
With his Cowichan Secondary Thunderbirds trailing the Alberni District Armada 17-12 at halftime of a do-or-die rugby match last Thursday, Gowanlock voiced his concerns about being banished to the greens.
"We win, we keep playing; we lose, it's golfing...and I hate golf," he thundered.
Gowanlock's sentiments seemed to fire up the T-Birds, who began controlling possession and territory much better early in the second half. Mike Hubscher scored a quick try to even the score, and Gowanlock scored his third of the game on a tap penalty midway through the second half to put his team up 22-17, where the score would stay.
Gowanlock scored twice in the first half and Kyle Joe kicked a conversion, but Alberni managed to hold the advantage after 40 minutes.
Once Cowichan pulled ahead, Alberni missed two attempted penalty kicks and missed out on a try because of a knock on, and the T-Birds were able to preserve their edge. Cowichan's depth played a major factor in the surprising summer-like weather. "We were fortunate to have reliable replacements to provide much needed energy in the extremely hot conditions," head coach Ron Glass noted.
The T-Birds will play G.P. Vanier in Nanaimo this Thursday, with a berth in the provincial championships on the line. The winner will advance directly to provincials, while the loser will play the South Island No.2 team a week later for the last spot at B.C.'s.