It’s gut-check time for the struggling St. Albert men’s rugby teams at today’s tripleheader at the Leading Edge Physiotherapy Fields.
The firsts, seconds and thirds are a combined 2-7 overall after completing an injury-filled May portion of the fixtures.
At 1 p.m. the thirds (1-3) host the Clansmen (2-1). The 2009 Edmonton Rugby Union playoff finalists are coming off a 27-18 loss against the Centaurs (2-1) in Grande Prairie last Saturday.
The seconds (0-3) host the Fort McMurray Knights (2-0) at 3 p.m. Last weekend in Grande Prairie the seconds made two key mistakes, which cost them a try and the game in the hard-fought 20-15 loss to the Centaurs (2-1).
The Grande Prairie club fielded a big squad with experienced players against a pair of relatively young St. Albert squads. The Centaurs standard of play is on par with the Alberta Cup premier division but geography prevents them from playing at that level since they would have to travel to Calgary for matches.
The main event is the 5 p.m. Alberta Cup showdown between the firsts (1-1) and the Calgary Saints (1-2). In the 2008 provincial final the Saints beat St. Albert 24-10. Last year in league play the firsts rallied from a nine-point deficit at halftime with 32 straight points to win 35-12 en route to a 13-1 record.
It’s still unclear whether British import and fan favourite Karim Lynch will arrive in time for the match. On Sunday, the 2009 rookie of year on the firsts playing in the centres helped the Dorset & Wilts rugby club beat Leicestershire 36-26 for the RFU County Championship Shield at Twickenham.
The 2008 and 2009 premier pennant winners haven’t scrummed down since May 15, a surprising 34-12 loss to the Clansmen (2-0) at St. Albert. Last Saturday the rematch of the 2009 provincial final against the Calgary Hornets, a 24-22 St. Albert loss, was snowed out in Calgary.
Meanwhile, on the women’s pitch, the winless St. Albert first and second teams ruck and maul today at Ellerslie Rugby Park. The seconds play the Rockers (3-0) at 1 p.m. and the firsts tackle the Druids (1-1) at 5 p.m. in the premier division.
Sunday is the registration deadline for the 19th annual St. Albert Kids of Steel Triathlon, plus the Alberta Provincial Junior Championship Triathlon, on June 13 at Fountain Park Recreation Centre.
Youths between four and 19 years old can participate as an individual or as part of a team on a swim-bike-run course that varies in distance according to age group. Last year’s Kids of Steel totals included 266 individuals and 25 teams in the elementary/senior high school divisions.
The junior triathlon is a draft legal race for athletes 16 to 19 years old.
For more information, contact Wietske at 780-459-2066 or [email protected]
More than 100 volunteers are also needed for the event. Interested volunteers can phone Tari at 780-574-0023.
