École L’Odyssée at Miramichi Valley High School.  The return of the École L’Odyssée centres and great play from the forward pack resulted in École L’Odyssée bettering MVHS 30-0 in this encounter. MVHS next play a tough MHS on Victoria Day in Moncton. ODC play École Mathieu-Martin today at 5:30pm at École L’Odyssée Field.

In a potential provincial final preview, the host Moncton High School, on a neutral field MHS came out on top with a score of 10-0.  This is the first loss in 16 games for BMHS. You can be sure if these teams meet again, it will be a very close game.

The first half of the game proved to be exactly what spectators had anticipated, an excellent game of back and forth rugby. Both teams had several line breaks and defenses on either side were required to make try-saving tackles. Towards the end of the end of the first half MHS was heavily pressuring BMHS deep in their half however BMHS stood tall and forced MHS into touch to end the half.

The second half began much like the first half with good back and forth play by both teams. However, with the wind now at their backs MHS was able to kick the ball effectively and pin BMHS in their own half. After being unable to clear the ball for several minutes MHS recovered the ball and began pressuring BMHS for a try. BMHS once again stood tall deep in their own half but MHS was unrelenting in their offense. After putting several phases of excellent offensive play, MHS cracked the BMHS defense and ran in for a try in the corner. MHS failed to make the conversion kick and the score stood at 5-0. After receiving the kick-off MHS knew they had found a strategy that worked and they stuck with it, once again kicking the ball deep and pinning BMHS in their own half. BMHS put forth a valiant effort to put something together on offense but was unable to advance the ball beyond the half field mark. With ten minutes left in the game, MHS was once again pressuring BMHS deep in their own half. Repeating the same tactics they had used earlier in the half MHS was able to run another try in the corner. The ensuing conversion was not made and the score stood at 10-0. The final minutes of the game were played out deep in BMHS’s half and with MHS pressuring once again, BMHS was able to force them into touch on the ten meter line to end the game. Final score: 10-0.

Thank you to Head Coaches Harris and Olivier and referee Ali Massoudi for facilitating an excellent and exciting game of rugby. Additionally, a big thank you to all of the parents and fans who came out to support both sides.

Both teams play again this coming Monday, May 18^th with MHS hosting MVHS and BMHS hosting École Mathieu-Martin.