Cross Border Series Recap: development opportunity for Jr. Blues

July 30, 2018

Cross Border Series presented by U of G was a big success, providing development and elite competition

(Guelph, ON) Rugby Ontario hosted the second annual Cross Border Series this weekend at the University of Guelph. Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) and Rugby Ontario have continued to strengthen their already strong competitive relationship as the American program traveled to Guelph once again to take part in this unique and competitive series. EIRA brought their U15, U16, U17 and U18 sides to take part in the unique development opportunity, playing against Ontario Jr. Blues U15 Men’s Central and West, U16 Men’s ‘AAA’, U17 Men’s ‘AAA’ and U18 Men’s ‘AAA’ teams.

This event gave Jr. Blues players access to elite competition and an outstanding rugby experience at the University of Guelph. 13 Ontario Junior Blues teams and more than 300 Ontario provincial athletes, coaches and support staff took part in this outstanding event hosted by The University of Guelph.

Thursday

11:00am // Jr Blues U15 Men West 7-57 EIRA U15

12:30pm // Jr Blues U16 Men ‘AAA’ 34-28 U16

2:00pm // Jr Blues U17 Men ‘AAA’ 22-22 EIRA

7:15pm // Jr Blues U18 Men ‘AAA’ 47-12 EIRA U18

The first day of the Cross Border Series presented by the University of Guelph was an electric and competitive day of rugby. EIRA U15 got the first win of the series with a 57-7 win over Jr. Blues U15 Men West. They scored early and didn’t take their foot off the gas, cruising to a victory. In the second game, the Jr. Blues U16 ‘AAA’ team and EIRA U16 both came to play out of the gate. The teams traded tries early, but the Ontario side was able to power through the late push back from EIRA to secure the victory 34 – 28. The third game had a defensively stingy first half ending 8-7 for EIRA U17 leading into the a lightning delay at half time. The offensive floodgates opened in the second half, but no winner was crowned as the game ended in a 22-22 deadlock. In the last game of the day, Ontario showed their physicality and outstanding skillset as they rolled over the EIRA U18 team and coasted to a 47 -12 victory. On the first day of the Cross- Border series, the Jr. Blues had a 2-1-1 record over EIRA teams.

Saturday

10:00am // Jr Blues U15 Men Central 12-69 EIRA U15

11:30am // Jr Blues U16 Men ‘AAA’ 21-16 EIRA U16

1:00pm // Jr Blues U17 Men ‘AAA’ 26-21 EIRA U17

2:30pm // Jr Blues U18 Men ‘AAA’ 31-22 EIRA U18

In the second day of the Cross Border Series, both the Junior Blues and EIRA were looking to settle their scores from their previous matchups. The Jr. Blues U15 Central Men couldn’t muster any momentum in their matchup with EIRA U15 and dropped the game 69-12. The Jr. Blues U16 ‘AAA’ Men were in tough against their EIRA U16 counterpart. EIRA dictated most of the first half of the game but the Jr. Blues turned it on in the second securing the win 21- 16 over EIRA U16. The Jr Blues U17 ‘AAA’ Men were looking to come out with a different result from their day one tie. The two teams were deadlocked at 7-7 at the half. The game was equally back and forth in the second half but the U17 Jr. Blues prevailed with a 26-21 win over EIRA U17. The U18 Men’s ‘AAA’ Men were looking to build off their Day 1 success. The Jr. Blues looked true to form going into the second half with a 21-12 lead. They stood tall against a second half onslaught from EIRA U18 to pull out a victory 31-22, finishing their weekend 2-0.

For recorded matches from both days of competition, go to www.youtube.com/rugbyontarioTV.

For photographs from both days of competition, go to www.facebook.com/rugbyontario.

During the event, Ontario Jr. Blues ‘AA’ Men’s and ‘AA’ and ‘AAA’ Women’s teams participated in intra-provincial competition and training camps to prepare for upcoming competition. The Ontario Jr. Blues Men’s ‘AAA’ teams and the U18 Women’s ‘AAA’ team will be travelling to Ireland on August 9 as part of Rugby Ontario’s international tour. The ‘AA’ teams will be travelling to Halifax to participate in the Eastern Canadian Championship on August 12. The event is hosted by Rugby Nova Scotia and Acadia University.

Rugby Ontario would like to extend a very special thank you to our partners who made this event possible: University of Guelph Athletics Department, Sportside Medical Services, eThereLive, ETS, Headcheck and Gilbert Rugby Canada. Another big thank you is extended to the coaches, managers and volunteers of the Ontario Jr. Blues program.

ABOUT THE ONTARIO BLUES

The Ontario Blues program is the high performance representative program for male and female rugby players in Ontario. Rugby Ontario is represented at the provincial level by the Ontario Blues. The program includes representative teams from Under-15 to Senior in both Women’s and Men’s Fifteens and Under-18 Men's and Women's Sevens. Specifically, the program is designed to develop and showcase rugby players for Canadian representative national teams.

ABOUT RUGBY ONTARIO

Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to establish a stronger identity for rugby in Ontario by promoting the sport’s core values and by fostering a culture of inclusiveness and excellence on and off the field of play.

To learn more, visit https://www.rugbyontario.com/