2005 FINAL LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Seneca (6-0-0)
2. Fleming P (4-1-1)
3. Conestoga (4-2-0)
4. Humber (3-3-0)
5. Mohawk (2-3-1)
6. Georgian (1-5-0)
7. Fleming L (0-6-0)
(W - L - T)

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Gold – Seneca
Silver – Fleming, P
Bronze – Conestoga

THIS WEEK IN THE OCAA

Cleats will be tearing up the Rugby pitch this upcoming weekend as the 2006 OCAA Rugby season kicks off this Saturday with six teams in action over the weekend. The Fleming Knights and the Mohawk Mountaineers will officially kick off the season on Saturday September 16 (7:00pm) at Trent Field in Peterborough, ON. Seneca (four time consecutive OCAA Champions) will begin their title defense as they host their cross-town rival Humber Hawks on Sunday at 11:30am. Loyalist College will join OCAA Rugby this season and will open their season at home against the Conestoga Condors on Sunday at 1:00pm.

2006 PREVIEW

Conestoga
2005 Regular Season Record: 4-2 (3rd)
2005 Playoff Record: 1-1 (Bronze)
Championships Won: n/a

After bronze medal performances in 2003 and 2005, Conestoga looks to build on that success and qualify for the Gold Medal game this season. Defense was Conestoga’s strength last season, allowing only 69 points in their 6 regular season games. Conestoga has had success in their four years of OCAA Rugby, never having a record below .500. Despite Conestoga’s success, the Condors have gone 0-7 against the Fleming Knights, including three semi-finals losses in the playoffs. Conestoga will look to end the “Curse of the Knights” this year as they square off against Fleming Peterborough on October 1st at home.

Georgian
2005 Regular Season Record: 1-5 (6th)
2005 Playoff Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 1996

After winning back-to-back silver medals in 2001 and 2002, the Georgian Grizzlies have gone into a slump as they have not been able to qualify for post-season play in the past three years. Coach Kevin Gillan will look to lead the Grizzlies back to the Final Four in 2006. There is a lot of optimism in Barrie as many key veterans are returning to the team including hooker Matt Beavis and 2nd row Matt Gleed. The Grizzlies have also brought in a good class of rookies including standout scrum half Mark Cotter. OCAA All-Star Trevor Jeffrey is no longer leading the team on the field, but he will be bringing a wealth of experience as he joins the coaching staff on the sidelines as an assistant coach. In order to return to the playoffs, the Grizzlies must tighten up on defense, as they allowed an average 27 points per game last season. Georgian will have a tough task as they open their season against the defending champion Seneca Sting on Wednesday September 20 at 5:00pm in Barrie.

Humber
2005 Regular Season Record: 3-3 (4th)
2005 Playoff Record: 0-2 (4th)
Championships Won: n/a

Last season, the Humber Hawks got off to a quick start winning their first three games by a combined score of 82-19. The Hawks were unable to continue their winning ways as they lost their remaining three regular season games (including a 10-8 loss against the eventual 2nd place Fleming Knights) as well as failing to win in the post season and out of the medal contention. In fact, in Humber’s four years in OCAA Rugby, the Hawks have not been able to capture a post-season win (0-4), losing twice to the Conestoga Condors in the bronze medal game (2003 & 2005). Humber will look to end Seneca’s 46 match winning streak as they open the season in Markham on Sunday at 11:30am.

Loyalist
Loyalist enters OCAA rugby as the eighth team in the league. The Lancers will be put to the test right away as their first three opponents all qualified for the Championships in 2005 (Conestoga, Humber, and Seneca). Head coach Larry Cook will lead the way for the first-year Lancers and will look to build a program that is successful for years to come. Loyalist will open their 2006 campaign at home against the Conestoga Condors on Sunday September 17 at 1:00pm.

Mohawk
2005 Regular Season Record: 2-3-1 (5th)
2005 Playoff Record: DNQ
Championships Won: 2000

After a bronze medal performance in 2004, Mohawk had a disappointing 2005 season as they missed out in qualifying for the Championships, finishing in fifth place. Mohawk got off to a slow start losing their first three games. After the slow start, the Mountaineers turned it around making a late push for the playoffs finishing the season with a pair of wins and a tie. Over those three games, offense was not a problem for Mohawk as they averaged 26 points per game. The Mountaineers hope to carry that momentum into the 2006 season.

The future looks bright for Mohawk rugby in 2006 with 10 veterans returning and a great crop of rookies being added onto the squad. Featured in this year’s freshmen class includes Brian Pearman, who played for the Niagara Thunder of the Canada Super League. Mohawk begins their 2006 campaign with a pivotal match-up against the silver medallist Fleming Knights on September 16 in Peterborough.

Seneca
2005 Regular Season Record: 6-0 (1st)
2005 Playoff Record: 2-0 (Gold)
Championships Won: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

The face of OCAA Rugby for the past five years has been Bob McArthur and his Seneca Sting. During the five Championship seasons, Seneca has compiled a 31-0 regular season record, outscoring their opponents by a score of 1292 - 221. Last season, Seneca managed to earn 5 out of 6 bonus points for a combined total of 29 points, coming up one point short of a perfect season. Seneca also swept the awards last season as Eric Hannah smashed the individual scoring record totaling 110 points in 6 games while earning OCAA league all-star recognition. Seneca’s other all-star Aaron Graham took home Championship MVP honours as he led the Sting to Championship Gold. Coach Bob McArthur also won top honours by earning the coach of the year award.

In 2006, the Sting will look to win their sixth championship in a row as well as continuing their winning streak that currently sits at 46 matches. If Seneca continues their winning ways, a match to look out for on the schedule is on October 12th against the Mohawk Mountaineers in Hamilton. If Seneca remains undefeated through this part of the season, the winning streak would reach 50 matches.

Fleming (L)
2005 Regular Season Record: 0-6 (7th)
2005 Playoff Record: DNQ
Championships Won: n/a

When the Fleming Auks entered OCAA Rugby, they managed to qualify for the playoffs in their first three seasons, earning a silver medal in 1996, a bronze medal in 1997 and a fourth place finish in 1998. Fleming has not been able to continue their success as they have failed to qualify for the playoffs in six straight seasons. In 2006, the Auks will look to get back to their early success and qualify for the Championships in November. To do this, the Auks need to come up with a more consistent offensive attack as they scored 26 points in 6 games, being shutout twice. The Auks open their season in an “all-Fleming” match as they face the Knights from Peterborough on September 24 at Trent Field.

Fleming (P)
2005 Regular Season Record: 4-1-1 (2nd)
2005 Playoff Record: 1-1 (Silver)
Championships Won: 1998, 1999

Except for their inaugural season in 1996-97, the Fleming Knights have managed to win a medal every season in Men’s Rugby, including gold in 1998 and 1999. Lately, Seneca has dashed Fleming’s Championship dreams as they have gone down in defeat to the Sting in the Gold Medal game in the past three years. The Knights hope to extend their medal streak while ending Seneca’s in 2006. To do so, the Fleming offense must be among the league’s best, as their offensive output (112 points) was 3 points below the league average (115 points) last season. The Knights will open the season at home against the Mohawk Mountaineers on Saturday September 16 at 7:00pm.