Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - Submitted by Dave Burnett, Niagara Thunder
Following the introduction of the CRC (Canadian Rugby Championship) and the highly successful Ontario Blues team and inevitable demise of the RCSL, the previous Thunder team is no longer in existence. The development team formerly the Niagara Lightning has adopted the original and highly successful team name Niagara Thunder.
The Thunder Under-20’s play in Rugby Canada’s National Junior Championship and this will be the third year of this program. In 2008, the Lightning were National Champions beating a strong Vancouver Wave team from B.C. and in 2009 a strong Toronto entry overcame the Lightning and eventually finished runners up to the Vancouver Wave team in the final.
This is the only national program for this age group and promises to provide an opportunity for many players to experience representative rugby and potentially make a claim for future honours on national teams.
The competition is formatted on a regional basis with regional competitions followed by the winner of each playing for an eastern and western champion and the winners of those games play for the National Junior Championship on July 31st. The Ontario region will be decided between the Thunder and Harlequins, as Toronto and Southwest Ontario did not enter teams this year.
This Saturday, the Thunder will face the Ottawa Harlequins in the second match of the home and away series. The Thunder won the first encounter in Ottawa on May 15th after overcoming a spirited performance from the Harlequins who were a much improved team than in previous encounters.
The game will be played at Burlington Centaurs ground, kick off 3.00pm on July 3rd. Entry is free, any donations will be gratefully accepted. See Dave Burnett – Manager, if you are able to contribute or contact by email deburnett@sympatico.ca or call 416-919-4118
More information at www.rcu20.ca
Squad for Saturday’s game:
Eli Cooke, Daniel Manchisi, Cale Meesters, Barrie, Colin Greenwood, Daniel Moor (Balmy Beach), Patrick O'Brien, Eric Patenaud, Braden Stubel (Brantford), Jamie Carmichael, Leigh Cotter, Nick Hadley, Jarrett Hamilton, Louis Hinshelwood, Chad Strapp (Burlington), Allen Vo (Niagara), Rob Finch, Richard Jutronich, Chris Reid, James Shanley, Graham Turner (Oakville), Matthew Wolfe, Ethan Wolfe (Toronto Scottish)
