The Abbotsford Rugby Club started proving right away that they belong in Premier League rugby.
On the opening day of the B.C. Premier League, the club went to Victoria to take on the Velox Valhalians in their first top-flight match in three-and-a-half seasons, and upset the home team 15-8.
Kurtis Appeldoorn got Abby’s first try, slashing through defenders over a 50-yard sprint. Early in the second half hooker Some Mosogau scored the winning try on a short rumble. Chris Gilding kicked a convert and hit a penalty kick.
Appeldoorn was selected man of the match for the Abbotsford backs, and Jeremy Swaan for the forwards.
The victory over a mid-standings team was a confidence boost for the Abbotsford Club, which was promoted to the Premiership based on first-half play.
“We’ve been working and building as a club for a couple of years to get to this point,” said past president Ryan McWhinney.
The game was played on a wet field, so the burly forwards had to be on their game, and they were, both controlling the ball and playing good defence.
The match marked the return of former international player Scott Hunter, who returned from a knee injury.
“It was really good to have him back in the pack,” said McWhinney.
The first division team had a 15-0 lead, but injuries and penalties turned the momentum against them, and they lost 19-15 to Velox.
Trent Bourke and Jordan Tait-Comis both scored tries, and the latter also hit a convert and a penalty kick.
Graeme MacRury was man of the match for the backs, and Jake Buskell for the forwards.
The third division team lost to the Scribes 10-8. Kyle Peters scored the Abbotsford try, while Darwin Guevara hit a penalty kick. He was man of the match for the backs, and Mike Poitras for the forwards.
All three teams are back in action this weekend at Exhibition Park, as the premier and first division teams will take on a UVic team that is a feeder system to the national team, with some of the country’s top young talents.
The third division team plays Chilliwack at 11:30 a.m., the first division team takes on UVic at 1 p.m. and the Premier game against UVic goes at 2:45 p.m.
The women’s team is at Cowichan.