It took overtime to do it, but the Southridge Storm senior boys rugby team has its first-ever Fraser Valley AA championship banner.
The Storm won the regional title last Wednesday on their home turf, after a 13-10 victory over Langley’s D.W. Poppy Redhawks.
In the sudden-death overtime session, Southridge’s Jason Coil booted a penalty kick through the uprights to give the South Surrey squad the win.
“We made a real good break and our winger, Liam Friesen, made a great run all the way down the field,” explained Southridge coach Aaron Johnstone.
“They ended up taking a penalty and we made the kick.”
The game-winning kick was even more important for the Storm, considering how regulation time ended.
Southridge led for much of the contest, especially in the second half, but Poppy tied the score on the last play of the game, sending both teams into extra time.
“It was tough, to end (regulation time) like that, but the boys came out strong in overtime,” Johnstone said.
Now, Southridge will prep for a run at a AA provincial title, something Johnstone said his troops are “definitely excited” about.
At last year’s provincials, Southridge placed fifth, winning their opening-round match before being bounced from title contention in Round 2, when they squared off against the No. 1-seeded Rockridge Ravens. They won the fifth-place game against Mulgrave, 24-19.