In a battle for first place in the Calgary Rugby Men’s Tier III the Foothills Lions let one slip away.
The Lions men’s team held a 12-5 lead over the Calgary Saracens with just eight minutes left in the game, but allowed their divisional rival to score nine unanswered points including a game winning penalty kick at the final whistle to give the Saracens a vital 15-12 win Aug. 29 at John Paul II Collegiate.
“Both teams play a similar style of rugby,” said Foothills Lion Jordan Smith. “And, it just came down to a game of inches.”
Lions coach Darcy Gallant said the difference in the contest was the Lions inability to finish their opportunities.
“When you own possession and every aspect of the game you should win,” Gallant said.
Foothills missed a convert attempt and three penalty kicks, including a crucial kick in the second half that hit squarely off the post.
The Saracens improved their record to 7-3, while the Lions dropped their second straight and sit with a 6-4 record with two games left to go in the regular season.
After a defensive stalemate for much of the first half, the Lions clawed themselves to a try through Smith with 11 minutes to go in the half, but missed the convert attempt from a tight angle.
Foothills kept up the pressure for the rest of the half and would have added to their lead if not for a goal line stand by the gritty Saracens.
Calgary come out of halftime with all the energy and took it to Foothills to start the second half, culminating in a try to tie the game at 5-5.
Foothills wrestled momentum back and were finally able to find score with 28 minutes to go in the game after several try saving tackles by Calgary. Roberts Bergma scored the try and connected on the convert to give Foothills a 12-5 lead.
With 16 minutes left, the Lions had an opportunity to add to their lead but Bergma’s penalty kick attempt collided with the left post, keeping the Saracens within just a try and convert from evening the match.
With the game still in the balance, Calgary marched down the pitch and scored a try and hit a convert to tie the game with six minutes left. Foothills responded and looked poised to score but took a penalty with two minutes left and relinquished possession. With seconds ticking on the clock, the Lions took an ill-timed penalty to set up a last second penalty kick for Calgary which they converted to give the Saracens the 15-12 win.
Despite the loss to their rival atop the Calgary Rugby III Division standings, Gallant said the Lions can take some positives from the game.
“Everything we incorporated into the training in the last week we put in to the game. The game plan worked, we just let it go in the last 10 minutes.”
With the regular season nearing an end, the standings are tight with the Lions needing to finish in the top two if they want to host a playoff game.
Gallant said the Lions still have a chance at first place. Foothills is back in action tonight Aug. 31 as they travel north to challenge the Calgary Canucks at 6:30 p.m. in Calgary.
Looking ahead to their next contest, Gallant said it’s essential for the Lions to start and finish the game strong.
“Our younger players need to continue to grow. The first 10 minutes and the least 10 minutes are where these tough games and playoff games are going to be won and that’s where we seem to have problems.”
“Near the end of the game with the Saracens we got away from our game plan,” Smith said. “As long as we stick with our game plan there’s no reason we can’t come away with it and beat the Canucks
Visit the Calgary Rugby Union website, www.calgaryrugby.com for schedules and game results.
