Revenge can be a powerful motivator.
In fact, the Terry Fox Ravens senior boys rugby team used it to power their way to the AAA Tier II provincial final Saturday in Abbotsford where they defeated Penticton secondary 30-20.
The Ravens, who were seeded second in the eight team tournament, surged to an early advantage then surged again when Penticton tried to close the gap. Two tries by Adam Janicijevic and one by Harrison Pride gave Terry Fox a 15-10 lead at half time.
Zander Bailey and Brendan Dieno widened Fox’ margin to 25-10 after the break. But Penticton fought back to within five points before Matt Shuen sealed the win with his fifth try of the tournament with four minutes left in the match. Shuen was subsequently named to the tourney’s first all-star team.
To reach the final, though, the Ravens had to get through two opponents who’d been their nemesis on previous occasions.
Their first match was against West Vancouver, who had defeated the Ravens in the championship tournament two years ago. This time the Ravens took a commanding lead but had to hang on for an 18-17 win. Shuen scored two tries while Kyle Picard scored the other.
In Thursday’s semi-final, Terry Fox were able to avenge a 24-19 loss earlier in the season to Argyle by thumping the Pipers 20-7. Again Shuen punched the ball into the scoring area twice and Devin Passaglia scored the Ravens’ third try.
We had an amazing core of kids who have been with the rugby program since grade 9,” said coach Jorge Knizek who called his team “the most disciplined rugby squad that Fox has ever had” in his 12 years at the helm.
The Ravens finished the season with 12 wins and two losses overall. They went undefeated in league play.
