The senior rugby team was invited to be part of the St. Michaels University School alumni homecoming event this past weekend. The highlight of this multi-faceted event is when the SMUS 1st XV takes the field. While the Blue Jags are piped onto the field to the cheers of their home crowd, the visitors must put up with the same fans predicting imminent defeat and warning of the peril that awaits the team foolish enough to take on the vaunted SMUS team on their home turf. Collingwood crashed the party in 2018 with a comprehensive win and in 2022 pushed their record to 2-0 at this event as they defeated SMUS 51-10.
While the final result was lopsided, the game was anything but in the first half. The Cavs opened the game with a series of tactical errors that put themselves instantly under sustained pressure. Some stout defence saved the day and eventually Collingwood broke into the SMUS end and Sam Chalmers capped off a fine movement with a powerful run. The Max Price conversion made it 7-0.
However, more sloppiness by Collingwood led to the first SMUS try which made it 7-5. The Cavs answered back quickly when Sam scored his second try of the game. Up 12-5, the Cavs pushed the lead to 19-5 when Noah George ran a fine angle to receive a short pass from Max and after breaking two tackles he rounded past the SMUS fullback. SMUS answered with another try before half to push the game to 19-10.
However, in the second half the Cavs had the downhill slope and wind to their advantage and they quickly put the game out of reach. Max scored early on before making a break that set up a Presley Bosa try. Eden Wan then took over scoring three tries. Max added another himself and the SMUS fans sought solace in the beer tent.
It was a great win for the Cavs. They now face DW Poppy from the Fraser Valley this Friday at Klahanie in the Stadium Series. This series matches teams from different regions to help determine rankings for the BC Championships.
Nathaniel Fava has been getting better every game as he learns to use his size and athleticism as one of Collingwood's power forwards.
Quinn Reynolds is a hard-grafting forward who never shies away from the tough and unsung jobs that makes other players look good. To be successful, teams need players like Quinn.