By Jeff D'Andrea

Springboks leap over Dragons

Jun 8, 2017 | 8:16 PM

The Saskatchewan Rivers Dragons high school rugby team faced their biggest test of the year on Thursday. The Saskatoon Springboks, regarded as the strongest team rugby team in Northern Saskatchewan, shutout the Dragons 44-0 at Prime Ministers’ Park.

The Springboks took control of the game immediately after receiving the opening kickoff, marching over the try line on their first possession. Dragons coach Paul Roy checked his watch dismissingly declared, “that took 50 seconds.”

The Springboks were able to keep the pressure on throughout the match. 

But to their credit, the Dragons felt they didn’t quit and kept answering the bell. 

“They were a great team with great defence,” Dragons’ three-year veteran Jonty Kruger said. “I think we fought good, had a good game on both sides. We fought well and worked hard.

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“You can’t just give up, you know? You have to keep fighting. You never give up, always have heart.”

The match was the Dragons’ last of the regular season. They’ll close out the year at the Rowland’s Cup this weekend in Saskatoon.

The Dragons had a rather awkwardly-aged roster, with a ton of Grade 9’s, a ton of Grade 12’s and not many players in between.

Kruger being one of the veterans said the future will be bright for the Dragons as he has seen tons of development in the younger group.

“The young guys really started to come, they’re doing good,” Kruger said. “They’re natural rugby players, they’ll do great later on. In two years from now, we’ll be at the top I’ll bet.”

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW