The Bow Valley Grizzlies are in Calgary Rugby Union’s (CRU) Division 3 men’s city final for the first time. They face undefeated Calgary Canucks with the winner earning a berth to provincials.
But when the ball is kicked noon, Sept. 28, at CRU Field 1, Bow Valley will have a very good idea of what they’re up against in the Canucks.
Grizzlies head coach Ty Hawes plays for, and helps coach, the Canucks at Divisions 1 and 2. He has a firm grasp on Calgary’s tendencies, and is eager to see the Grizzlies succeed.
“I would have no issues with Bow Valley layin‘ a lickin‘ on ’em,” Hawes said. “This is pretty much a game I’ve been really looking forward to, and the matchup I’ve been looking forward to.
“Calgary is undefeated on the season. The boys know how much it means to me to come away with the win.”
Hawes is satisfied with Bow Valley’s development this season and feels the team is fit for the playoffs.
“We’ve been playing with 15 guys the whole season,” he observed of his team’s lean roster. “We’re coming up against an older Canucks side I think we can wear out.”
It worked against Red Deer in Bow Valley’s 29-13 win Sept. 21 in Calgary. As the Titans tired, the Cochrane-based Grizzlies sprinted to the win in the final 40 minutes.
“Our set pieces will be a big focus,” Hawes said of his plans for the Grizzlies against the Canucks. “If we can set up our lineouts and take advantage of every lineout we get – I’m looking to dominate that area. If we’re dominating the set pieces, it’ll set up our backs nicely to run around the pitch.”
And if you want to catch relentless Grizzlies sprinters like James Patterson, Brandon Harrison and Dave Evans in the second half, bring your horse . . . the fast one.
