From the Saracen Press

Juniors Continue Winning Streak

Posted on 2001-07-19 by Agustin Louro

In their third week of competition and for the first time in the season, the under-19s faced a full-fledged opposition.

After defeating the undermanned Hornets and Saints 57-0 and 42-0, the Saracen juniors were looking forward to stiffer competition from the Irish Wednesday night, and they got it. Although the Green, White, and Black dominated the first half, the second period made for an exciting finish.

The first 30 minutes of play saw the Saracen forwards dominate in the loose-tight as well as in the set pieces. The pack worked well with Don Stewart throwing to either two or four in the lineout and new forward Shayne Kuzek and halfback Chung Le running the show from the back of the scrums. Le's halfback partner Chad Pearsall earned Man of the Match honours through inventive back play on attack and relentless tackling.

The second half was somewhat disappointing but set the stage beautifully for a nailbiting finish. The intermission score of 25-3 didn't last long as the young Irish came out firing on all cylinders and were able to break through the previously almost impermeable defense of the Saracens. Thanks to good support play from the Irish and questionable fitness on the part of their opponents, the score went from 25-3 to 30-24 at full time. The only Saracen score of the frame came courtesy of a long run from centre Leighton McDaid.

The combination of former and current players from high schools throughout the city worked amazingly well, as the squad has been able to gel at training and games. Traditional Saracen feeder schools such as Bowness, Crescent Heights, and William Aberhart were represented, as were Sir Winston Churchill ans St. Mary's. The width of the base being built at the junior level makes for a promising future at the club as well as the feeder schools.