The Bow Valley Grizzlies Smash ’Em! Tour 2015 has ended prematurely.
But the team made great strides in its inaugural charge through Calgary Rugby Union Second Division men’s play.
Grizz player/coach Ty Hawes had this to say to his team following a 45-26 second-round playoff loss to Calgary Hornets on Sept. 19 in Calgary: “Nobody expected us to be here today. It’s just getting better every year, guys. We have nowhere to go but up. If there’s any of you out here who think that team was unbeatable today, don’t bother coming back next year. That was a beatable team.”
If Hornets were beatable on the day, they did enough to keep it from happening by opening scoring in the CRU Second-Division men’s semifinal and keeping their foot on the gas. Bow Valley’s Ben Mayo countered with a tough 10-metre run to tie it 7-7. Hornets scored again, but Grizz Anthony D’Amico bulldozed across the line following a nice buildup to tie the score at 12. Hornets scored to make it 17-12 at the half and opened scoring in the second half, taking a 12-point lead.
“I thought everybody showed up ready to play today,” said Grizz flanker Mackenzie Tivendale. “Because this game, despite the final score, was so close a lot of guys are going to have a lot of ambition and a lot of drive to make a difference this offseason. It will be good.”
It was the Cochrane-based team’s first season of Div. 2 after leaving Third Division play from a year ago. Finishing 9-5 this season (including playoffs) Grizzlies were full value for the promotion.
“Another step taken. That is an awesome group of guys. I can’t wait to see what the dynamic is going to be next year,” Hawes enthused. “I’m hoping it just keeps growing. We’re integrating young guys into the squad. We have a few old hats. Everybody’s welcome to come out. I don’t care how much you’ve played or how little. Come out and enjoy.”
Grizzlies kept charging at Hornets in the latter stages of their playoff loss, with Tivendale diving across the line to bring Bow Valley to within five. But Hornets scored again. Grizzlies replied, stealing a lineout and taking it down the field for a score, but that was it. Hornets scored again to end the day.
