by Glen Hartle
Shawville
May 15, 2024
The Pontiac High School girls and boys rugby teams hit the field Wednesday evening showcasing teamwork, grit and athleticism in games against teams from two other high schools in the region.
The girls’ team, the Pontiac High School Panthers, played back-to-back games against the Philemon Wright High School Falcons from Hull and the D’Arcy McGee High School Gee Gees from Gatineau.
For the boy’s event, Philemon Wright fielded two Falcon teams to play against the Panthers.
All games were refereed by Ali Awada and Mike Cheung, both from Ottawa/Gatineau and Gatineau-based athletic therapist Noah Boisvenue was ready on the sidelines in case of injury. There was a small canteen selling . . .
bites and refreshments with proceeds going toward graduation activities.
The games Wednesday were of the Rugby Sevens format whereby just seven players per team took to the full-sized pitch for two action-packed seven-minute halves where players left it all on the field.
With fewer bodies and extra space, the games were fast-paced, full of breakaways and rife with excitement for the large contingent of spectators camped out on the rampart adjacent to the field. Overall, the evening had an official and yet festive feel to it.
Girls coach Phillip Holmes said after the matches, “The girls are proud of their bruises.” The girls team won both of their games.
“It’s really incredible,” Holmes continued. “We started last year with 12 girls who had never played and added a few girls along the way. Initially, we were destroyed in each game but, eventually, we won the league and are, this year, undefeated.”
Two of the team’s leaders, Hannah Twolan and Kira Paulin, led by example and were forces to be reckoned with every moment they were on the field. Opponents had a hard time keeping up with their speed and legwork.
The boys’ team is a year behind the girls and has only been playing for a little over a month. While narrowly losing their first two tournaments, they turned in a stellar performance Wednesday and won their first game. They will be looking to build upon that outcome at the championships in a little under two weeks’ time.
“The chaps were sterling,” said coach Colin Boolsen-Vorster. “For a highly inexperienced and newly created rugby side, they performed particularly well.”
Team captain Cade Kuehl had an impact as scrum half, helping dictate the Panthers’ gameplay, and standout Morgan Barr made a strong case for the most valuable player, often out-pacing opponents with sheer natural talent and athleticism.
For his part, Boolsen-Vorster added, “I have a bit of experience coaching and playing rugby and can certainly attest to the formidable potential for rugby at Pontiac High School where Dr. Burns supports sport without reserve.”
“We could not be more proud of these teams,” jointly echoed Holmes and Boolsen-Vorster. “They are competitive and their on- and off-field behaviour is commendable.”
Both PHS teams are now marching toward their respective championships on May 29, to be hosted at PHS thanks to the undefeated status of the girls’ team this season.
And no matter the outcome at the championships, both of these teams are committed and already making plans for continuation.
