On the face of it, this past weekend for the PECI rugby program might have been a little underwhelming. 

The PECI Panthers, both on the boys’ and girls’ sides, have reached some significant heights in Bay of Quinte play this season, and parlayed that success into appearances at the OFSAA Championship tourney (Sr. Boys) and the Barbarian Cup (Novice Boys, Jr. Girls). So it stood to reason that PECI would be in contention and playing well into these provincial show downs.

But success in the sport of rugby is very much determined by culture. The success of a program comes by way of baby steps. PECI skipper Doug Holt wasn’t losing sight of the accomplishments of the program on Monday.

“Overall, we are proud of the season we had this year. Three out of four teams in provincial championships, all teams played with class and never quit, we laid the foundation for the program and have helped make PECI rugby relevant at the Bay of Quinte, COSSA and provincial levels,” Mr. Holt said.  “The goal is to keep progressing and staying in the mix at this level moving forward. The players should be proud of themselves. I know as coaches we certainly are.”

Drew Spencer. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

The Sr. Boys were in London late last week to compete at the AAA Provincial tournament and got tough assignments in their opening games.

In the opener, PECI drew the John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute Royals from Guelph, who would go on in the 2023 championships and win the bronze medal.

Mr. Holt noted the club played hard and learned a lot by playing against perennial OFSAA programs. 

“Outside of the slow start against Ross, which will kill you at this level — we were tough, physical, and focused,” the coach said. “It was a great experience for our boys in seeing high level rugby, meeting athletes from across the province and getting an opportunity to bond as a team.”

PECI’s 8 man Andrew Cumpsty would have the first OFSAA try in school history but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers lost 26-5.

“Ross was very impressive, with multiple players who play at the national and provincial level. It was an eye-opening experience for the players to see how much more they have to learn about rugby,” Mr. Holt said.

In the club’s second game, PECI faced eventual consolation winner Medway.

“We controlled the ball in the first half against Medway, but a few mistakes led to a 14-0 deficit despite our possession lead,” the coach added. “The boys fought hard all game, laying everything on the line in the final game of the tournament.”

Mr. Holt highlighted the play from Fraser Reynolds, Shelby Swackhammer, Liam Phillip, Cumptsy, Reese Kleinsteuber and  Liam Rice.

Getting the Panthers to western Ontario and putting them up for the evening at a hotel was not an easy feat. Their coach praised the generous nature of Prince Edward County as well as players on the Panthers team who worked to ensure some of the costs of the trip were covered.

“We’re incredibly grateful and humbled for the community support. It was awesome to see the community come together to support the team. Major shoutouts go out to Ryker Terpstra, Hayden Blakely, Dreaden Hymus and definitely McKinley Miller who showed his impressive character in this effort,” Mr. Holt said.

Izzy Bailas. (Jason Parks/Gazette Staff)

On Sunday, the Barbarian Cup was held in Belleville and the Novice Boys and Jr. Girls clubs wound up their season in the provincial showdown.

On the girls side, the coach said was was a tremendous outing from the Panthers.

PECI would post a win surrounded by a pair of losses although both those setbacks came against squads that played in the medal round.

PECI was blanked by Garth Webb in the opener 26-6 but rebounded to dump Streetsville 29-5.

Drew Spencer had three tries and a pair of converts while Izzy Bailas had a pair of tries.

In the quarter finals, PECI was bested by Bayside 26-0.

“The girls showed they belonged at the provincial level,” the coach said. “We only lost to teams playing in the medal round, and our only losses this spring came to three out of the four  final teams left playing rugby in the province. The girls were tough and physical, with some moments of brilliance against high level competition. Ultimately, we were beaten by better and more experienced teams, but our girls should be proud of themselves for how they played and how much they’ve improved this year.

Bailas, Spencer, Katelyn Deroche, Abi Childerhose, Karter Barnes, Regan Norton and Abby Speirs and had outstanding efforts at the tournament.

Meanwhile, it was another key learning experience the Grade 9 Boys squad and Mr. Holt said playing at this level will be a key part of the program’s development moving forward. 

Declan Vincent had a try for the Panthers while the coach singled out Kieran Craig, Cam Billing, Malcolm Gregor, Connor Borton and Cole Carruthers for their sound play.