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Rugby: Saints slip behind Stags in match of BC titans

St. George's led Shawnigan Lake until closing minute of championship final
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For St. George’s, Keegan Matheson launches himself into a tackle as Sam Turner closes in to hold back the Shawnigan Lake ball-carrier in a hard-fought 12-8 loss to the Stags during a rain-soaked AAAA senior boys B.C. championship final at Abbotsford’s Rotary Stadium May 28. Photo Jean Konda-Witte

St. George’s 8 - 12 Shawnigan Lake

St. George’s met their Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­Island rival head-on, nearly defeating the perennial champion Stags and proving they are far from the underdog they were dismissed to be.

On a stormy afternoon at Rotary Stadium, the Saints opened the scoring off persistent rucking. They led 5-0 and clutched an 8-7 advantage off the foot of Will Sauder, whose convert and penalty kicking has been a weapon all season.

But with 10 minutes to play, Shawnigan Lake scored the winning try to lead 12-8.

Owen Pitblado made a gutsy play to wrestle back the lead with only minutes on the clock, but he was thwarted by the team that has won seven championships in the past eight years.

Oak Bay finished third ahead of Earl Marriott in the first year the league tested an AAAA tier for the top four regional teams.

St. George’s defeated the Stags for the 2014 provincial title.Ìý

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AAA Tier II

The Kitsilano Blue Demons finished seventh overall, defeating Salmon Arm 21-19 in their final game of the tournament May 28. Jack Bae was named to the commissioner’s top 15.

Surrey’s Elgin Park won the Tier II title, and Yale blanked North Vancouver’s Carson Graham to win the AAA Tier I championship.
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Kitsilano's Pierce Halpenny breaks out of a tackle in a 15-5 loss to Surrey's Elgin Park at Rotary Stadium May 25, 2016. Photo Jean Konda-Witte

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AA Tier II

The Tupper Tigers won bronze in a decisive 24-7 contest over Richmond’s Hugh McRoberts. The Tigers lost their semi-final to Robert Bateman, a team that went on to lose the championship by a single point to L.V. Rogers from Nelson.

Victoria’s St. Michael’s won the AA Tier I championship.

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St. George's Saints huddle after losing to Shawnigan Lake at Abbotsford’s Rotary Stadium May 28, 2016. Photo Jean Konda-Witte

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St. George's Saints Spencer Cooper (No. 3) and Gabe Atkinson (No. 6) scramble for the ball. Photo Jean Konda-Witte

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Nick Good carries the ball for St. George's as Will Sauder, Sam Turner and Spencer Cooper run in support. Photo Jean Konda-Witte

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Greg Atkinson carries the ball for St. George's with Justin Foti, Nick Good and Will Sauder in pursuit. Photo Jean Konda-Witte

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Macgregor Shepard reaches for a high pass. Photo Jean Konda-Witte

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Chris Bonner hangs on to the ball as Greg Atkinson rushes in to support his teammate. Photo Jean Konda-Witte