Shody Perry of United, who was named the league's most valuable player, rambles with the ball against Chinook Coyotes.
Aiden Seguin of United releases the ball as he is tackled by a Chinook Coyote.
Shody Perry of United, who was named the league’s most valuable player, rambles with the ball against Chinook Coyotes.
Southwest United Rugby Football Club claimed the south zone championship on Monday.
The Southwest United Rugby Football Club continued its surprising run Monday by capturing the zone high school boys rugby championship.
The No. 3-ranked United club shocked the top-ranked Winston Churchill Bulldogs 29-26 at the University of Lethbridge to claim the title.
The win comes five days after United upset the No. 2-ranked Chinook Coyotes 34-10 on their home field to advance to the final.
“We still haven’t played our best game,” said United coach Craig Patton, who expects more from his team at the weekend provincial tournament in Lethbridge.
Winston Churchill got off to a quick start Monday, scoring a converted try shortly after kickoff to lead 7-0.
United responded well, though, moving the ball down the field and working the ball wide to Ben Craig who plunged in for a try.
The Bulldogs battled for another converted try to widen their lead to 14-5.
United narrowed the gap just before halftime when scrum half Michael McTighe blocked the Bulldogs desperation kick from their own goal line, and Dylan Drader touched the ball down for a try.
McTighe’s convert made the score 14-12 at halftime.
Winston Churchill scored an unconverted try early in the second half to pull in front 19-12.
United kept it close when Aiden Seguin raced in for another try, making its 19-17.
The Bulldogs scored a converted try to hold a commanding 26-17 lead with time winding down.
The United team showed its resilience, though, moving the ball up the field against a strong wind. McTighe capped the drive by fighting off two tackles to touch the ball down just across the goal line.
Shody Perry booted the convert to cut Winston Churchill’s lead to 26-24.
Perry then showed why he was voted th league’s most valuable player, executing one of his trademark up-and-unders.
Perry got the ball in his own end and while on the run booted the ball over the defenders. Perry outran everyone to the ball, scooped it up and raced into the end zone for the go-ahead try.
The United defence stiffened and Winston Churchill could not score again.
Patton said what put United over the top was their ability to execute their game plan to perfection, keeping the ball in the forwards for three or four passes before working it out to the back line.
“It’s starting to come together,” Patton said.
In the semifinal last week in Lethbridge, Dylan Drader scored two tries for United and Tasan Perry, Lim Hinch, Shody Perry and Logan Kaack each had one. McTighe booted to converts.
United plays at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday to open the provincial tournament. Round-robin play continues at 12 noon Saturday.
In addition to being named MVP on Monday, fly half Perry was named to the all-star team along with teammates Seguin at outside center, McTighe a scrum half and Charles Florence at No. 8.
