The Washington Loggers Boys U14 State rep-side traveled to Vancouver, BC in August to face the British Columbia U14s.

The match, hosted at Capilano RFC’s Klahanie Park, served as a curtain-raiser between the BC Bears vs Wolf Pack, for the senior men’s Canadian Rugby Championship fixture. 

In front of a packed, vocal crowd, the young Loggers and BC Reps traded long spells of possession. Both teams worked the ball through phases of expansive, open rugby countered by committed, if somewhat scrappy defense. 

The second quarter of the match saw the referee quiet his whistle and let the teams play, resulting in scores. The young Canadian and American sides went into halftime with two unconverted tries apiece, tied 10-10.

Though evenly matched through most of the game, BC’s depth mattered in the late stages with a final try punched through on the midfield wing, with support runners flooding in to seal BCs victory, 24-10.

“Matt Gordon and BC Rugby couldn’t have been better hosts. Brilliant.” said David Miller, Loggers Director. “We’re geographically gifted in Seattle, to have this quality of opponent and venues for ‘touring abroad’ with young players.

“We’ve played Canadian Provinces with Washington development sides before, and our Seattle Rugby Club U12/14 tour BC annually. But this year seems different. The relationship has matured from one of competition to 'co-opetition' — working together to give young players a serious, challenging growth opportunity.”

Miller said the spirit of cooperation between American and Canadian rugby, even at the lower levels, can have influence at higher levels. 

“There’s a growing realization on both sides of our border that the chance of any future World Cup, coming home to North America, will be a dividend of investment at the grassroots, in skill-based development and coherence in the player pathways. Congratulations to our Canadian partners in getting that done with us.”

The Loggers High School rep-side are now committed to Canadian fixtures to be announced for 2019-2020.

2018 Washington Loggers U14

Connor Barun — Eastside Lions

Jamie Brooks — Liberty

Samuel Brulotte — Chuckanut

Drew Chesley — Seattle Vikings

Patrick Cullen — Panthers 

JP Ellis — Seattle Rugby Vikings 

James Hillmann — Eastside Lions

Kaleo Kennerley — Chuckanut

Calvin Ketteridge — Chuckanut

Orion Lehnert De Smet — Seattle Vikings

Chance Loudenback — Seattle Vikings

Leno Maka — Rainier 

Cody Morris — Panthers

Jason Retz — Chuckanut 

Maximillian Rhodes — Eastside Lions

Jesse Sande — Chuckanut 

Cole Scharffenorth — Panthers

Rolla Schrimpsher — Rainier Highlanders

Jacob Sio — Eastside Lions

Dawson Stine — Seattle Vikings

Nathan Swofford — Rainier

Elias Tasi — Chuckanut Rugby Club

Dylan Luger — Liberty