The Howe Sound Sounders rugby team made history on Thursday (April 3), winning the first-ever regular season game in the program鈥檚 history.
Howe Sound picked up a 21-5 win over the Alpha Secondary Aztecs at Howe Sound field. Head coaches Robert and Sarah Lepine said it was an impressive first foray into the Tier 2.
鈥淲e really held it together and were focusing well all game,鈥� Robert said. 鈥淓veryone stepped up to the plate today and played hard from the first whistle to the last. We came ready to play and everyone played to the best of their abilities.鈥�
The Sounders got tries from Ben Wade, Rolan Mendoza and Cam Dare and managed to keep the Aztecs off the scoreboard until the second half. Mendoza was also named the man of the match for his efforts on both sides of the ball.
It鈥檚 the third year for the program and the popularity of the sport is growing at the school, with more than 30 players having packed the sidelines in Sounders colours. The team has attracted both boys and girls and players of all shapes and sizes.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got a really big team this year and a lot of depth on the sidelines,鈥� Sarah said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e also got some returning players, so they鈥檙e really stepping up and teaching the new guys. It鈥檚 a big and strong team and it鈥檚 been super fun for us to coach.鈥�
Sarah explained that she, her brother Robert and her mother Shileagh Lepine formed the team and the popularity of the squad is surging.
鈥淲e started this team three years ago and rugby is such an amazing sport that we鈥檝e always had a pretty good turnout,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut last year we lost a little momentum because of the teachers鈥� strike. This year we鈥檙e fully in Tier 2 and we鈥檙e competing for a banner, so I think that鈥檚 maybe attracted a few more players.鈥�
The Sounders will play a total of five regular season games in 2014, followed by the playoffs if they qualify. Howe Sound hits the road on Thursday (April 10) to take on the Sutherland Secondary Sabres in North Vancouver. The team then takes on the Burnaby North Vikings in Burnaby on April 15.
The next home game for the team is on April 17 when North Vancouver鈥檚 Seycove Secondary comes to Squamish. Howe Sound finishes the season battling the Moscrop Panthers in Burnaby on April 24.
After Week 1 the Sounders sit tied for second place in Tier 2 with a record of one win and zero losses. Howe Sound has four points at this early stage of the season. The teams receive four points for every win but also have the opportunity to win bonus points by scoring four or more tries or by losing by seven points or less.
Stay tuned to The Chief for continuing coverage of the Sounders rugby team.聽
