From Abbotsford Rugby (Courtesy of BC Rugby). British Columbia’s Elite Youth Sevens Under-18 provincial team went undefeated on Thursday afternoon to successfully defend their title at the Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong International Youth Sevens. The program lifted their first international title of the 2013 season and their fourth major trophy in two years.
The U18 BC team went 4-0 in a U19 competition featuring players from Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and USA. BC conceded just a single try and downed Hong Kong University 21-0 in the Cup Final.
“The guys did a great job today and they really improved each game during the tournament,” said BC head coach Shane Thompson, who has the BCEY7s on tour outside of North America for just the second time in the program’s history. “It was a positive experience for all the players and great to win the Cup.”
The team started the tournament with a 14-0 win over Hong Kong club side DEA Tigers before blanking DPB 35-0. In their third and final pool match, BC defeated LA’s Inner Cities rep side 21-7 to earn a berth into the Cup Final.
Victoria, BC’s Evan Cambridge crossed over for two tries in the tournament final with North Vancouver’s 17-year-old Cole Keffer also dotting down for a score. BC Captain Harjun Gill (Richmond, BC) kicked three conversions to seal the 21-0 win over Hong Kong University.
This was BC’s second straight 2013 Cup Final appearance after finishing as runners-up in February to the USA High School All-Americans at the Las Vegas High School International Sevens.
The aspiring national team players will now have the opportunity to take in the famed Hong Kong Sevens as Canada looks to claim pivotal points on the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series circuit. A graduate of the BC Elite Youth Sevens program – 19 year old Justin Douglas of Abbotsford, BC – will be playing for Canada this weekend. BC reps on the national team roster also include Sean Duke (Vancouver), Mike Fuailefau (Victoria), Nathan Hirayama (Richmond), Harry Jones (West Vancouver) and Conor Trainor (Vancouver).
For more on Abbotsford Rugby please use the link in our Sports Directory or simply click here.