Jasper's fields were in high demand over the weekend as more than 50 rugby teams from across the province participated in the annual Downhill Sevens Rugby Tournament, April 29 and 30.
With nearly perfect weather, 23 high school teams, including five from Jasper, tied up their laces for an action packed day.
The junior boys team dominated their opponents winning all three of their games to win the championship title. The senior boys were not as fortunate, winning just one game.
On the other field, at the Jasper Junior/Senior High School, three female teams represented Jasper.
The two junior girls' teams finished second and fourth respectively, while the senior girls found themselves in a tough draw losing all of their games.
鈥淭hey all played really well,鈥� said Marshall Corbett, a high school teacher and the club鈥檚 director.
鈥淓verybody was pretty sore afterwards, which is a good thing for rugby because it means you played hard enough.鈥�
The following day on April 30, more than 30 adult teams took to the field.
Unfortunately the Jasper team, which had never played together, lost both of its games.
鈥淭he big clubs we were playing against play together all the time so it was a pretty big disadvantage, but we played quite well and had lots of fun,鈥� said Corbett, who played on the adult team.
鈥淚t was just a great weekend of rugby.鈥�
Prior to the tournament, the rugby club fixed up the school field, levelling it out by filling in some of the divots with dirt. The municipality also did some temporary work to Centennial Field to ensure minor sports teams can safely use it this season, before it is overhauled in 2017.
The Downhill Sevens Rugby Tournament is organized by a rugby society out of Edmonton, with the help of the Jasper Rugby Club. The next tournament for the Jasper Rugby Club will be held in Drayton Valley, May 13.
Paul Clarke [email protected]
