Sabres cap off undefeated rugby season with banner

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/06/2023 (1090 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS) Sabres almost fell down at the last hurdle en route to a Winnipeg High School varsity sevens championship. The banner was their’s after a 29-12 come from behind victory against the Stonewall Rams June 7 at the Maple Grove Rugby Park in Winnipeg.

Steinbach went into the final against Stonewall undefeated, barely facing any adversity throughout the entire season according to head coach Tahnee Grosskopf. The team would finally need to dig deep in the final, as Stonewall jumped all over SRSS, scoring two quick tries in the first half to take a commanding lead.

It was some sloppy play which lead to the Rams’ early 12-0 lead, with Steinbach giving up both tries after penalties.

“The girls’ really proved they were super resilient and came back,” Grosskopf said.

“We’ve always talked about resiliancy, and continuing to do our best, and giving that extra mile no matter what the situation is, and that’s something we always talk about at the start of each game. I had full confidence they would just keep trying, and we came out on top.”

With only seven minute halves, the Sabres needed to find a spark, and did it by taking advantage of Stonewall mistakes. They were able to score two tries of their own before the end of the half, converting after two Rams were penalized for knocking the ball forward.

“At half-time we made a couple of adjustments and talked about being able to support each other more as teammates instead of trying to run as individuals, and I think that really helped with the second half of the game,” Grosskopf said.

After scoring to take the lead for good in the second half, a Stonewall player looked sure to even the score, breaking straight down the middle of the field for a 70-plus metre run, which was all for naught after a desperate Steinbach defensive sprint of their own.

“They have proved over and over that they’re a competitive bunch, and they’re willing to put in that extra mile no matter what,” Grosskopf said.

“They will chase down that defender even if it means they’ve got to run the entire field.”

The Sabres’ earned their way to the sevens final after defeating Kelvin 33-17 in the semi-final. St Paul’s also won the boys 15s banner June 7 at Maple Grove.