Red Devils find another level of rugby to dominateBy Herb GarbuttOT has won 27 of the 33 Halton rugby titles OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFup for grabs (11 senior boys, nine junior boys, seven senior girls). In theory, the six teams competing in When asked why she began playing the Haltons first high school junior girls rugby sport, Nicole Reagan, who scored two tries league should have come in on equal foot-in the final, simply said, OTs reputation is ing.rugby.Theory it seems, does not apply to the I knew all the positive things my older Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils when it comes friends said, added co-captain Lauren to rugby. So as if dominating the three Arthur. I wanted to get involved with that.leagues already in existence wasnt enough, Oakville Trafalgars newest team did that it seems OT is intent on adding to its legacy tradition proud. Including their 45-0 romp in the sport.over St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinals, The Red Devils racked up 41 points in the the Red Devils went 6-0 and outscored their opening half as they cruised to a 41-22 vic-opponents 223-15.tory over the Georgetown Rebels in But Reagan is quick to point out that its Wednesdays inaugural junior girls champi-not just a matter of throwing on an OT jer-onship.sey and then running over your opponents.We have the good fortune of practicing Part of the reason we do so well is we with one of the best teams in the province, work so hard, she said, pointing out that OT coach Dan Valley said of a Red Devils the team practised on the Monday of the senior squad that is ranked fifth in the prov-long weekend.ince by Rugby Ontario. Being in that envi-Another benefit of OTs success in rugby ronment, you cant help but pick things is that it attracts many of the schools best ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVERup.athletes. Judging by the way Maddy Seatle NEW LEAGUE, SAME RESULT: A member of the Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils (left) fendsThe Red Devils tradition in rugby does scooped up a loose ball and sprinted three-off a Georgetown Rebels opponent Wednesday at Burlington's Sherwood Forest Park. OT defeatenothing to dissuade OT students from pick-quarters of the length of the field untouched See Junior, page 48Georgetown 41-22 in the inaugural Halton junior girls' rugby final.ing up a rugby ball. Over the last 11 years, Titans team featured athletes from many different sportsContinued from page 43when they joined the team. who joined Gillis on the Halton There were a lot of football all-star team to give Trinity a joined the Oakville Crusaders. Afterone year with the Cru, his coachplayers who decided to give it a try 7-0 lead heading into the half.and they picked it up pretty quick-In the second half, Blake told him he should try out for theprovincial team. Gillis did, andly, said Leonard. Now we get Gallagher added some insurance made it. Last year he got a taste ogeneral athletes from a variety of with another try.f different sports football, wres-While the sport continues to get representing his country as hetling, hockey.more popular, Leonard said the joined the Canadian U17 team.Though Trinity was the leagues Titans victory can do nothing but It was amazing. It was thehardest weekhighest-scoring team, it was its help raise the sports profile. of my life, Gillis saidodefence that came up big in the (Rugby is) growing at the f the teams tour throughCalifornia. Throwingearly going, holding off a Pearson school. Its growing all over, he on theCanaddrive that took the Patriots deep said. Hopefully this win helps even ian jersey, it was incredible.Gillis now intends to tryinto Titans territory. Gillis then more because once they come out out forbarreled his way in for a try, which and make that first hit, theyre the Canadian under-20 team butwas converted by Courtney Zorio hooked.for now is content to revel inTrinitys Halton championship.The Titans had a tough roadBIGGEST SALE OF THE YEARjust to get to the final. They$2,200 OFF FURNACE & ACknocked off the undefeated T.A.$700 OFF HI-EFFICIENCY $1500 OFF HI-EFFICIENCYBlakelock Tigers, the only team toCENTRAL AIRGAS FURNACE (95.5%)beat Trinity this season, with aWASWAS10-3 victory in the semifinals.$$26903990And even though it had handledPearson easily in the regular sea-NOWNOWson, winning 27-5, Trinity was not$$taking the Patriots lightly.24901990It was a whole different game Free InstallationHCLIATMITED MEIC RLLPA 10 Years Factory WarrantyCQ. 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