Day 11 - BC Lions Football game

In the evening the boys watched the BC Lions defeat the Montreal Allouettes in the Candian football league. 

Day 11- Capilano Suspension bridge

After Grouse Mountain the boys visited Capilano Suspension bridge. 

Day 11 - Grouse Mountain

We have spent the morning on the top of Grouse Mountain. The weather has taken a change as it has been raining and it is very misty on top of the mountain. 

1st XV v British Columbia

The first XV played a very well drilled and organised BC U18 select side who just came to the end of there 8 day training camp in preparation for the Narional finals weekend. The BC coach had only positive things to say about the level of competition our boys offered throughout the game. 

Unfortunately for MTS accuracy was to let them down and led at half time they were 12-0 down but should of scored a couple of tries themselves but dropped balls and a lack of accuracy in passes let them down. 

This was to be the same in the second half, BC managed to score 3 converted tries but MTS once again lacked the accuracy in the final moments. The final score was 33-0 to the hosts but this does not reflect the amount of possession and opportunities the boys created. The boys will take a lot from this game moving forward and just need to continue to develop their accuracy in attack and defence to become a more competitive outfit. 

It was good to see James Robins back playing after injury and he led the team from the front in attack and defence. James Nicholl was once again a force in the centre and Charlie Harrocks showed signs of his potential. Max Hodkinson also had a solid debut game for the 1sts in the 2nd half. 

In the forwards Josh Gorman and John Booth had solid games in the front row and Harry May was a menace in the lineout. Patrick Hagerty continues to rehab well and is getting back to near his best. Marcus Millen made his 1st team debut in the 2nd halve and had a good game. 

The boys now have to rest up before we travel to play Chuckanaut Bay In 2 days and we will have to monitor a few players after such a physical game today. 

Day 9 - Vancouver

We have all arrived safe and sound in Vancouver and have checked all the boys into their rooms. 

We plan to have a team dinner this evening at the Spaghetti factory in preparation for our toughest game of the tour against a British Columbia select team. 

There is only 1 game tomorrow for the 1st XV. Game kicks off at 2pm tomorrow and the venue is at the University of British Columbia. 

Day 8 & 9 Williams Lake

The boys were taken on a 2 hour hike up through the mountains in the morning which was a fantastic opportunity as the scenery surrounding the trail was absolutely breathtaking. 

After completing the hike we then travelled to an activity centre that offered 9 hole par 3 golf, crazy golf, go-karting and a number of other smaller sporting activities. The staff took part in a Ryder cup golf match but unfortunately the pair from Canada were deserved winners. 

In the evening most of the boys attended a BBQ with meats on offer such as moose, deer and salmon. The hosts were fantastic for the 4 days and the boys were all very well treated. 

We travel up to Vancouver today on a 8 hour bus journey. 

1st XV v Williams Lake

After having to sit and watch the 2nd XV it was the turn of the 1st XV to show that they deserve to play in the next 1st team game. The boys didn't let themselves down and played some expansive rugby. 

The boys ran out well deserved 71-0 winners scoring 11 tries in the process. 

Tries scored by:-

Gilby 

Harrocks 

Nicholl (back of match)

Lea 

Sutton 3

Jones 

Doyle 

Scrivens 

Paxton 

Due to an injury to James Robins, Greg Rawsthorne played at 10 and had an outstanding game in attack and defence. He also took on the kicking responsibilities and got 7/9. Nicholl was once again dangerous in attack and defence and Sutton proved to be an excellent finisher scoring 3. 

In the forwards Church led the back well but it was the year 11 backrow of Gilby and May who stole the show. Both boys had outstanding games. May won all his ball and stole the majority of the opposition ball in lineouts and turned a lot over on the floor. Whereas Gilby was fantastic with ball in hand going forward and always looked a threat. The senior boys need to step up their game to get to this sort of level when we move onto Vancouver. 

2nd XV v Williams Lake

The 2nd XV were up first on another 40 degree day but luckily the kickoff was at 5.30pm so it got a little cooler. MTS dominated the game from start to finish coming out 47-7 winners scoring 9 tries but only converting 1. 

Try scorers were:-

Pearson (man of match)

Doyle 2 

Downing 2

Neale 

Losty

Behl

Scrivens 

It was great to see non rugby specialists such as Neale, Latham, Sharples, Kehoe, Cheshire, Brown and Hutchinson all play substantial game time and having a big impact on the game. 

Special mention must go to Marcus Millen who was energetic throughout the game. It was good to see Conner Scrivens play again after injury. Luke Pearson was hard to put down and had to be taken off as he was too physical for the opposition to handle. In the backs James Owen ran the show and was able to give good ball to Doyle and Losty who were a handful all day.