Head coach Jason Young knows full well that the Abbotsford Rugby Football Club’s top men’s side has made huge strides over the past two seasons.
The problem is, it’s hard to celebrate that progress when it isn’t immediately accompanied by victories.
Thus, last Saturday’s 25-20 triumph over the UVic Vikes at Exhibition Park was, in Young’s words, “just huge.” It was the Abbotsford squad’s first win in CDI Premier League play since returning to the province’s top flight two seasons ago.
“It’s a confidence booster, definitely, for the young guys,” Young enthused. “We’ve been improving and improving, and we’ve had some close calls. I’m just happy we got a victory.”
Battling through soggy conditions, Abbotsford got tries from Shea Bourquin, Brodie Henderson and Graeme MacRury, while Chris Pack added two converts and two penalty kicks.
“We played a physical, hard game, and we kind of dominated,” Young said.
Abbotsford (1-7) is still last in the eight-team Premier League, but a home-and-home series with the UBCOB Ravens offers a chance to move up. The Ravens are just four points ahead, and the Abby side visits them on Saturday, before hosting them on March 31 at Exhibition Park.
“With our young guys, we’re on the right track,” Young summarized. “We’re not quite there, but we’re almost there.”