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U-16 Boy's Belleville

(3 posts)

  1. Ad Bot

    Posted 1 year ago

  2. Bulldogs2
    Member

    The following appears in today's local rag.

    Bite to match their bark
    Posted By PAUL SVOBODA, THE INTELLIGENCER
    Posted 4 hours ago

    Warren McCann has adopted a simple yet significant credo for his Tim Horton's Belleville Junior Bulldogs U16 rugby team.

    "Success breeds success," says McCann.

    The former Bulldogs men's team standout should know.

    Last season, McCann coached the U16 Bulldogs to the semifinals of the Toronto Rugby Union playoffs where they dropped a heart-breaking decision in overtime -- on penalty kicks -- to Toronto Balmy Beach at M.A. Sills Park where a morning downpour had turned the pitch into a swamp.

    Sure, getting to the TRU semis was a sure sign of success. But McCann convinced his players it wasn't enough.

    And, so far this season, the message has been well-received. The U16s are a perfect 5-and-0 in league play with their final regular season contest set for Saturday at noon at Sills Park.

    If the Junior Dogs defeat the visiting Ajax Junior Wanderers, they'll lock up first place and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

    "Everyone is having a big year for us and we've got a good veteran nucleus back, but I think one of the things that has helped us this year is that we started preparations earlier," said McCann.

    That meant regular Saturday morning practices on the Sir Mackenzie Bowell Public School athletic field in the spring, several weeks before the first regular season kickoff.

    Plus, said McCann, the U16 Bulldog squad is basically a high school all-star team from the highly-regarded Bay of Quinte circuit.

    "We have most of the best players from Bay of Quinte," said McCann. "Getting the best, most skilled players helps a lot and we've got some great kids."

    Among them, No. 8 Zack Hiscock of Trenton High who also plays provincial rep rugby for Ontario. Hiscock teams up with Brady Mantifel of Centennial and Peter Phillips of East Northumberland -- both flankers -- to give the U16 Bulldogs a formidable trio at the back of the scrum, said McCann.

    "Our back row is great," he said.

    Centennial lock Matt Mullins brings a high work rate to the boiler room of the second row while McCann's son, Devin, calls the plays for the backs at the important flyhalf position.

    Still, McCann knows that just having a side packed with high school all-stars doesn't guarantee success. Cohesion, he said, is the key.

    "These guys really play well together as a team," said McCann. "Sure, they all come from different high schools and they have their rivalries, but when they're together here they really play as a team."

    DOG DIRT ... The Bulldogs senior men's sides also put undefeated records on the line Saturday when they host the TORONTO BUCCANEERS at 1:30 p.m. (men II) and 3 p.m. (men I). Bulldogs men I are 7-and-0 atop the TRU Division 1 standings and can clinch first place with a victory over the winless Bucs (0-and-7). Bulldogs men II are 6-and-0 and in first place in their group.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  3. Ad Bot

    Posted 1 year ago

  4. Harry Craig
    Member

    Good luck to your U16s but you know who I'll be cheering for today.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  5. Ad Bot

    Posted 1 year ago

  6. Harry Craig
    Member

    Congratulations to the Bulldog Pups who beat our side on Saturday to go undefeated in the league. Sounds like a close game, maybe we will meet again in the playoffs with a better result to the Wanderers this time, I hope.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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