Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Dragons look to build off of league championship year

Apr 11, 2013 | 7:01 AM

Ever since the Saskatchewan Rivers Dragons high school rugby team started from scratch about 11 years ago, head coach Paul Roy has never seen quicker hands or crisper ball play so early in a season.

In just the team’s third practice of the year Tuesday at the Alfred Jenkins Field House, Roy told his team during a break that he was very impressed with their ball passing and handling skills and even promised them it was the best he’s seen in Dragons history.

That’s big praise, not only considering that the Dragons went undefeated in league play, but the fact they will be a very young club this year.

“This is probably going to be the youngest team we’ve had in the last 10 years or so,” said Roy. “We have about half a dozen Grade 9’s, half a dozen Grade 10’s so it bodes well for the future—there were a couple Grade 8s out here today, too.

“That thrills us as coaches to get kids at younger and younger ages, because by their third and fourth year, they really show the results of the hours we put in.”

Of course, not everybody on the team is starting fresh. The Dragons sent four players to the nationals last year to represent Team Saskatchewan and three of them will be returning this year in Grade 12 prop Andrew Carswell, Grade 11 scrum half Lucas McConechy and Grade 10 winger Ashton Milligan.

“They’re huge. It’s experience. Lucas will definitely be a leader on and off the pitch. In the community, you’ve seen how much he’s done with the (Friday Night) Lights for Max (Clunie),” said Roy. “The other guys are going to lead as well. Andrew will lead on the field, that’s just the kind of guy he is. We have lots of confidence in Andrew.

“Ashton for example, he’s only in Grade 10,” added Roy.

“He’s not traditionally what we look to for a leader, we’re just looking for him to improve his skills and next year, he’s going to be stepping it up in terms of expectations.”

As of now, the Dragons are practicing in the Alfred Jenkins Field House as the local outdoor fields are still covered in mounds of snow and although they are tentatively scheduled to play outdoors soon, that will likely be delayed.

“With all the snow that’s still around, your guess is as good as mine,” said Roy. “We’re watching the weather report every day.

“Tentatively, we’re scheduled to be playing in two weeks but I doubt they’ll be a field available.”

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea