2017-2018

(From the Stanstead College yearbook)

Senior Boys

The senior boys rugby team had an outstanding 2018 season. With phenomenal veteran leadership and very talent rookies, they took off to New Brunswick after only two weeks of practice to compete in Rugbyfest. After 5 difficult matches, Stanstead went undefeated and brought home the banner. They continue on this path of success by competing in the GMAA 7s tournament in Montreal where they bent last year's champions Loyola High School in the round robin and defeated a very talented CVR high school in the finals in overtime. The following day the boys suited up for yet another grueling day of rugby in Sherbrooke at the Abenakis 7s tournament. Through perseverance and sheer will they held off every opponent, winning the finals comfortably against Seminaire de Sherbrooke. In league play, the Spartans won all four contests and secured the ETIAC league banner. Their final task was to defeat Alexander Galt in the semi finals and an hour later, capped off the perfect season by beating BCS and claiming the playoff trophy. In 21 matches played, the Spartans went 21-0. The undefeated season was impressive but the way the team came together, worked for each other and stood by one another is what every spectator and player should be proud of. It was a season that will surely be remember for years to come.

Junior Boys

This junior boys team was pumped and ready to go early on. Before March break, their stated ambition was to win every single game. Winning every single game is tough. We have an ETIAC league to play in now and teams have gotten good. But this team had something other teams didn't, and that was experience. That made a difference. We started out strong and clinched the ETIAC banner early on, but lost in the final of the GMAA 7s, so our unbeaten season died at that point. May break is a real momentum killer. Upon our return, we traveled up to Galt and scraped our way past them, and then we played Massey-Vanier and had a melt-down. It was not a pretty sight. But losing is where the lessons are, and as a coach it was the perfect time. The banner was already ours and the playoff was the following week. Fortunately, we learned our lesson, and we pummelled the BCS team in the semi and had our revenge against Massey-Vanier in the final to win the playoff trophy. We worked on determination, execution, passion and sheer love of the game. Congratulations on your season, what you accomplished and the way you did it.

(From the Stanstead College website, May 8th)

JB Rugby 3 and 0 @ BCS Jamboree

The Junior Boys Rugby teams travelled to BCS for the first mini-tourney of the year May 1 as play-off champions looking to repeat the success of last season.

They got off to a flying start with a 42-0 rout of MVR. A dominating performance in his first ever rugby game by Cole Huckins, who scored twice in quick succession, was the main highlight. Ryan Young (twice), Ho Lee and Matt LG also opened their scoring accounts. A pleasing performance by Richard Pan was also noted by the coaches.

The second game against AGR was a closer affair (24-17), but in reality the game was put out of reach of the Spartans' opponents early on by another dominating effort by Cole Huckins (three tries) with help by Jayden Mullens, who came off injured partway through the second half after a clumsy play by a Galt forward.

Hosts BCS proved to be tougher competition in the third and final game of the day. The home team scored with their first possession and looked to be a difficult prospect. However, great play by Alexis Daniel allowed Ho Lee to race home, a score that was quickly followed by a darting run from Ryan Young to give the Spartans the half-time lead. The second half was a tight, gritty effort by both teams, but a wellexecuted trick lineout play allowed Ho Lee to get to the line only to be taken out by a dangerous play from a BCS back. This final play was judged to be a penalty try, giving Stanstead a 21-5 victory.

The coaches were very pleased with the overall effort and progress made by the players. The 3-0 start was made possible by a great effort from all the players. Next week sees Stanstead travel to MVR for Jamboree #2 against the same teams. Having set the bar high, the Spartans will inevitably have a target on their backs as the opposition tries to stop them running away with this season’s banner. Hard work, focus and determination will by key for future success.