Despite poor ground conditions after heavy rains, rugby fans were treated to an excellent Rugby Canada Super League U20 National final at Crusader Park in Oakville this afternoon. The home team, Lightning, drawn from players in rugby clubs in the Golden Horseshoe, defeated the Western Division champions, the Vancouver Wave 20-19. 

Both teams were undefeated in the build-up to the final and the talent and skills shown by these Under 20 athletes in the match reflected that, to the delight of the fans.  The Lightning opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a try from Athar Zia of Waterloo.    The Wave were moving the ball well, combining strong running from their big backs as well as forwards, but the Lightning  defence was solid.   Another 3 points came from a penalty and then with 5 minutes left in the half, a well-executed crosskick found Mike Berry of Niagara catching the ball just inside the corner flag where he grounded it.  13-0 for Lightning, but the Wave made one last and very determined attack to get on the scoreboard before the break.   The backs ran hard;  then a quick ball from a ruck near the Lightning  try line was taken in by the forwards and Solaimani converted it  to make the score 13-7 as the whistle sounded to end the half.

The second half, like the first, was a pattern of very strong running by the visitors from Vancouver,  particularly  flyhalf and captain Charlie Jones and their huge inside center Taylor Dalziel, offset by solid tackling from the Lightning, particularly #8 Mike Berry and prop Luke Racine, often causing the ball to be lost.    However, the Wave were able to take most of the breakdown ball and played  in the Lightning  end for almost 20 minutes.   A penalty attempt went wide but another penalty taken quickly gave them a try near the posts.   The successful convert put the Wave in the lead for the first time, 13-14.     However the Lightning  scrum was dominant and the next play  saw the Lightning  run the ball, lose it in the tackle only 30 meters out, then  win against the head as they drove the Wave back 10 metres.  #8 Berry picked up, broke some half tackles and was over for another 5 points.   Rory McDonnell of  Brantford kicked the convert and the Lightning  were back in the lead  20-14.  

The next 20 minutes was mostly attack by Wave and solid defence by Lightning, with  the Wave’s superior skills at the rucks and their off-loading giving them Wave after Wave of attack and eventually a quick ruck ball saw  Charlie Jones come in at an angle and touch it down to make it  20-19.   But alas for the Wave, the convert which would have put them back in the lead, was unsuccessful.   And so it continued for the final tense 10 minutes.   Wave after Wave, struck down by Lightning.

Lightning  head coach Gary MacDonald allowed it was anybody’s game and a great final with excellent rugby by both sides.  Wave coach  Pat Fleck said the conditions created several handling errors by both sides, thought Lightning  pack defended well and scrumhalf Colin Brown (London) had an excellent game.

Yesterday in St.Johns, the Newfoundland Rock defeated Calgary to take the Senior RCSL title. 

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