WINDSOR, N.S. — The excitement was palpable as crowds gathered to watch Avon View rugby teams compete at provincials.
Fans cheered and screamed encouragement from the sidelines throughout the day June 1.
While Avon View’s senior girls’ rugby team lost a heart-breaking final to Citadel that morning, the boys’ team progressed to the final and laid it all on the line against Dartmouth.
Avon View, on home turf, dominated the pitch, eventually winning the final 15-12.
It marked the first championship the boys’ team has captured in 11 years.
“It’s been a long time coming and they just played amazing,” said assistant coach Godfrey Kenny amid celebrations.
“It was really special. We played against the best teams in the province, and we weren’t favourites — we were underdogs coming into it.”
Godfrey said he was proud of how far the team has progressed over the year.
“At the start of the year, we had some guys who could barely kick a ball. Our scrum half, No. 10 — they’re now kicking balls 40 yards, kicking goals; it’s just really, really good,” he said.
Ethan Salsman, a Grade 12 rugby player, said he felt pretty good about Avon View’s chances heading into the final, but to win the banner was still pretty surreal.
“I thought we had a pretty good shot and then when we got here, we played our best rugby all season.”
In the girls Division 1 final, Citadel easily handled North Nova, winning 44-0 to secure their second consecutive championship.
Auggie Cohen, a co-captain with the Citadel Phoenix, said the highlight of the tournament was how well they gelled as a team.
“It was winning as a team. We weren’t individuals on the pitch — we were a team,” said Cohen, still smiling following the banner ceremony.
In other provincial final action, Hants East took home the Division 2 boys’ rugby banner after defeating Cole Harbour 27-5. Hants East dominated the division throughout the provincial tournament.
For the girls’ D2 banner, Northumberland topped Dartmouth, winning 24-17.
ROUND ROBIN
Division 1 — boys
- Avon View vs. Eastern Shore — 12-8
- North Nova vs. Northumberland — 17-5
- Dartmouth vs. Eastern Shore — 7-0
- Northumberland vs. Sir John A — 10-8
- Avon View vs. Dartmouth — 43-0
- Sir John A vs. North Nova — 15-12
Division 1 — girls
- Citadel vs. CEC — 34-7
- Avon View vs. Sir John A — 39-0
- Lockview vs. Sir John A — 33-5
- Citadel vs. North Nova — 34-12
- Lockview vs. Avon View — 7-5
- North Nova vs. CEC — 7-5
Division 2 — boys
- Cole Harbour vs. Central Kings — 24-0
- Hants East vs. Glace Bay — 17-5
- Central Kings vs. Glace Bay — 5-5
- Hants East vs. Cole Harbour — 17-15
Division 2 — girls
- West Kings vs. Auburn — 36-14
- Dartmouth vs. Central Kings — 10-5
- Auburn vs. Riverview — 26-19
- Northumberland vs. Central Kings — 21-14
- Riverview vs. West Kings — 35-7
- Northumberland vs. Dartmouth — 5-0
SEMI-FINALS
Division 1 — boys
- Avon View vs. Sir John A — 14-12
- Dartmouth vs. North Nova — 17-14
Division 1 — girls
- North Nova vs. Lockview — 40-14
- Citadel vs. Avon View — 10-5
Division 2 — boys
- Hants East vs. Central Kings — 58-0
- Cole Harbour vs. Glace Bay — 10-7
Division 2 — girls
- Dartmouth vs. Riverview — 25-14
- Northumberland vs. West Kings — 24-17
FINALS
Division 1 — boys
- Avon View vs. Dartmouth — 15-12
Division 1 — girls
- Citadel vs. North Nova — 40-0
Division 2 — boys
- Hants East vs. Cole Harbour — 17-5
Division 2 — girls
- Northumberland vs. Dartmouth — 24-17
