The team that can’t win the big game hasn’t lost its swagger on the premier pitch.
Saturday’s 57-7 destruction of the Red Deer Titans was the fourth win in five games for the back-to-back Alberta Cup pennant winners and provincial finalists and the 30th in 36 matches since going 18-1 as the 2007-second division champions.
They’re not the fantastic firsts from last year or the premier powerhouse during their historic return to provincial elite status in 2008, but this year’s line-up is serving notice it is a team to fear in the playoffs.
“Expectations are high,” fullback Aaron Takel said after scoring multiple tries on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the St. Albert Rugby Football Club. “We know we can do it.”
They won 13 straight last year before blowing the provincial final 24-22 against the third-place Calgary Hornets in front of a St. Albert-dominated crowd at Ellerslie Rugby Park.
“We’ve got to do it on the road this year if we do make the final and there is actually no reason why we can’t do it,” Takel said of the Sept. 25 provincial showdown at Calgary Rugby Park. “After last year I don’t think there is any pressure. The teams in Calgary don’t respect us. They don’t expect much from us. That’s OK. We know we’re capable of it and that’s what we’re keeping in the back of our minds as we go game to game.”
The firsts are a proud bunch but not cocky.
“It’s a different kind of confidence this year. It’s actually a quiet confidence. There is not a lot of talk before the game. There is really not a lot that needs to be said. Some of the guys have played together regularly for quite a while now and we know what we’re doing,” Takel said. “The younger guys that have come in have filled big boots and they’re doing really well.”
The third straight win by the firsts (19 points) kept them within striking distance of the Clansmen (20 points), ranked second in the premier table as the only team to beat the firsts this year, 34-12 in spectacular fashion on St. Albert’s sacred field.
“I hate that one,” Takel said with distain. “Unlike last year it’s a little bit more game-by-game this year. Nothing is really given. The strength of the league is a little stronger. There are a couple of more teams in the middle of the road that are going to match us every week.”
The firsts fielded a different starting 15 in every contest because of injuries to a deep talent pool that is also feeding the second and third division teams in the Edmonton Rugby Union. The arrival of British imports Karim Lynch at outside-centre and standoff Simon Gregory earlier in the month coincided with the team’s improved performance.
“It’s coming together, especially with some of boys coming back [from injuries]. Ben Robinson was back today, which is nice. Hopefully we’ve got Brian Pendlebury coming back too,” Takel said of the lanky pair of forwards. “The boys have to start working for places now. It’s not given every game they’re going to be on the squad. It’s competition for places now and there is not many teams that can say that. It’s a big positive.”
As good as the firsts played Saturday, the second 15 at the club could’ve easily beat a Red Deer squad missing a few starters. The firsts threw away a few tries in the first half while scoring three to lead 19-7 at the break.
“It was a game of two halves,” Takel said. “It was kind of what we expected. The information before the game was it was going to be similar to the Canucks from two weeks ago [21-12 in Calgary]. They’re going to be a physical team but we didn’t think they could match us out wide.”
Edwin Shimenga opened the scoring with an easy try on a gift ball by Gregory in the fifth minute. Takel’s first try was brilliant feed by Adam Bontus in the ninth minute. Trailing by 12, Red Deer rebounded with a converted try from short range in the 17th minute.
“Their try came where we thought they were going to come, so it’s a little disappointing to give that away,” said Takel.
His second try was off a lineout ball funnelled through Gregory and Lynch in the 23rd minute.
Twenty minutes into the second half Gregory slipped past a few defenders to score under the posts. He finished the game with two tries, as did flanker Kyle Gilmour, the team’s MVP in 2008 and last year’s most outstanding senior player in the Edmonton Rugby Union.
Takel’s hat-trick try added to the scoring spree, as did a rare run for points by veteran prop Graham Noren on a quick lineout ball from Takel to Lynch to Gregory.
Takel, 28, was almost perfect kicking with his canary-yellow boots. The former semi-pro Welsh rugger has rarely missed the uprights this year using the same unique kicking style as British legend Jonny Wilkinson. In last year’s debut with St. Albert, the former Druid was pretty good at making his kicks from all over the pitch. However, in the provincial final with the wind at his back switching off and on, he chipped one conversion off the post and missed three penalties from outside the 22-metre line before halftime as St. Albert led 8-7 at the break.
“I have some unfinished business with the kicks,” said Takel, who opened the scoring in the final with a penalty after he was buried into the ground with a massive hit. “I had a bit of an injury that caused a little problem with the timing. I took a big hit on the side and it really kind of put my hip out of whack.
“I try not to think about what happened [in the final] last year. I’m always confident I will step up. Even if I miss a few I will keep going and eventually it will come together.
“I’m just coming out and playing for the moment, especially in front of this crowd on this field. I’m living for every Saturday.”
