P.A. Saskatchewan Rivers Dragons Rugby Club prepares for season opener on Thursday
After five week of practices, first indoors at the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse and now outside at the Prince Albert Collegiate Institute field, the P.A. Saskatchewan Rivers Dragons are finally ready for the rugby pitch.
The Dragons kick off their 2017 North Saskatchewan Junior Rugby season with a game against the Saskatoon Wallabies on Thursday night at the Saskatoon Rugby Clubhouse. On Saturday afternoon they play their second-straight road game against the Lashburn Lucky Rugby Club.
“My expectations aren’t super high. I always expect the guys to do well and play their best,” Dragons coach Justin Derkach said from the sidelines while his players ran through drills at P.A.C.I.
“If the wins come, great. If they don’t, that’s O.K. as long as we’re playing well and learning. And hopefully that momentum carries on throughout the year so that when it comes time for playoffs, we’re at the best we can possibly be.”
Last year’s Dragons squad finished the year with a 6-3 record, eventually falling to the Saskatoon All Blacks in the championship final. The 2017 Dragons will have a different look after losing a number of players to graduation, as the league only accepts athletes from Grade 8 to 12.
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