The Thompson Okanagan Rugby Alliance (TORA) under-18 girls crushed its opposition 152-29 in five games en route to a B.C. Rugby Provincial Regional Championship.
The championship game between TORA and the Fraser Valley in Burnaby July 3 was described as “a brilliant encounter” on the B.C. Rugby website with TORA winning 12-7. TORA coach Andy VanKuyk believes that his players thought they were going to have an easier time than they did. However, VanKuyk said it was “sweet revenge” against the Fraser Valley.
“It feels really good to beat them,” said VanKuyk, whose team settled for silver last year adding that every year they lose to the Fraser Valley. “This year we finally got our redemption.”
Playing a key role was Penticton’s Lenaic Madevon. VanKuyk said the Pen High student is incredible.
“She is a fantastic rugby player,” said VanKuyk.
According to the coach, Madevon scored a try in their 43-0 win over Vancouver Island, in a 58-0 win over Fraser Valley West, she had three tries.
“She is very powerful, very fast,” he said. “I think it’s rugby smarts. She knows where to be at the right time.”
VanKuyk added when Madevon gets speed inside, she can be very dominating.
Bronze for TORA U14 boys
TORA picked up bronze as the North Vancouver Island Tsunami had to forfeit as they didn’t have enough players. Coach Leana Marton said it was an unfortunate situation, but the teams still played a friendly. TORA’s team featured Sol Jacques, Alan Woodhouse, Garrett Bouthillier, Rocco Hamilton and Branden Smythe of Penticton, as well as Summerland’s Kieran Messier. TORA won four of their five games, their only loss coming early in round robin action against provincial champions, the Vancouver Island Tide.
“If we didn’t have them, we would be a different team,” said Marton of the Penticton/Summerland players. “They were definitely contributors to our success.
“Sol was tremendous, he is one of our crucial key players,” continued Marton. “Alan was awesome. Kieran really stepped it up at the end of the tournament. Really improved. Garrett is very steady.”
Marton said that Jacques and Woodhouse have been invited to the U14 camp July 24 to 29.
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