Sacred started the season as rank outsiders, in their inaugural year, not having fielded a senior rugby team since 2007 (several of the now grade 12's playing for the senior team while in grade 9). However what they lacked in experience they more than made up for in dedication, passion and enthusiasm. Under the expert guidance of teacher Mr Patrice and co captains Read Spencer (flanker) and Joshua Faulkner (fly half) the team showed grit and determination during their regular season losing only to St Paul, St Joseph and Robert Borden while posting victories over Woodrooffe, Notra Dame.
Making it through to the play-offs in the second to last spot, Sacred started the post season as underdogs. But how those Huskies dogs roared, narrowly defeating Sir Robert Boardman ( 13 to 10) in the quarter finals to book their semifinal birth against the undefeted St Paul away. In their regular season the Huskys lost 31 to 12 against St Paul so form was not with Sacred.
Sacred were pumped up and put St Paul under early pressure. St Paul are a fine rugby team and soaked up the pressure, but unfortunate momentary lapses of discipline gave away two early penalties. Up stepped Eric (Richard) Reid, the first one was hit high but just wide of the uprights, the second one (a few plays later) went sailing through to give Sacred 3 deserved points -and hero status for Eric.
The first half was largely a game of the forwards with both teams making hard early tackles preventing either set of backs from getting into top gear. The second half was slightly more open, with both sets of backs making some penetrating runs. The kicking form both sides was excellent, both to gain ground and as a way to relive pressure. About 20 minutes into the second half and after sustained pressure Sacred made a telling kick, putting the ball close to the St Paul try line. A maul formed with both forwards pushing strong. It looked like St Pauls had obsorbed the pressue, but Sacred came back for more. Josh Faulkner and Brandon Marshall grabbed the ball and with the help of the many jointly drove over the line to earn 5 points. 3 ponts were added with a successful kick from the left foot of Faulkner.
Sacred were hungry for more and used more effective kicking to keep StPauls pinned back. Late in the game after sustained pressure the other way St Paul earned a penalty that was expertly converted to make the score a fairer 10 to 3.
Highlights of the game will be shown on Rogers tv on Friday 5pm. Sacred now face the Glebe in the final on Thursday.
