Junior Varsity – Chatham 19 Sarnia 14
Bantam – Sarnia 31 Wentworth 19

The Sarnia Sturgeon Bantams became the first Sturgeon team to post a victory this year, defeating the Wentworth Panthers 31-19 in Hamilton Sunday afternoon.

The teams battled to a scoreless tie in the first half with both defences rising to the challenge on key plays. On their opening possession in the second half, The Sturgeon’s Hayden MacLean capped a scoring drive with the first major of the day. After stopping the Panthers, the Sturgeon struck again with Marco Parete scrambling 22 yards for a touchdown to put the Sturgeon up 12-0.

The Panthers then responded with a major and a successful convert on their next possession. Marco Parete anwered the Panther major with his second touchdown of the gane to stake the Sturgeon to a 24-7 lead. On the ensuing kick-off the Panthers replied by runnning a reverse on the kick-off back for a touchdown.

Hayden MacLean scored his second touchdown and Nic Paquette closed off the Sturgeon scoring with a convert. A late drive by Wentworth ended the scoring of the action packed second half.

With only 23 players dressed, head coach Tim Purdy used all his team’s assets to win a game that was much closer than the final score indicates.

JV Sturgeon Valiant in Defeat

The Sarnia Sturgeon junior varsity team lost a hard fought game in Chatham Sunday evening in a game played at Chatham Kent Secondary School. The Sturgeon were missing up to 10 of their starting players, many of whom were members of the Northern rugby team who were participating at O.F.S.S.A.A. in Toronto. The Cougars drove the length of the field on their opening possession and scored for a 6-0 lead. They also kicked a field goal late in the half for a 9-0 lead at the half. The monsoon like conditions in the first half made it difficult for the either offence to move the ball.

Players dedicated to the organization and loyal to their teammates began to trickle in after making the trek from Toronto following their last rugby game. The Sturgeon came out for the second half all fired up and buoyed by the return of many of their starters. Brett Boersma laid a big hit on the Chatham running back causing a fumble that he recovered himself. From there, the hard running of Curtis Robichaud moved the ball down the field. The Sturgeon scored their first major of the year on a 25 yard touchdown pass from Scott Campbell to Kyle Ross. The defence held the Cougars and Chatham conceded a safety rather than punt from deep in their end and the Cougar’s lead at the end of the third quarter had shrunk to 9-8.

In the fourth quarter, Robichaud put the Sturgeon ahead for the first time in the game on a 6 yard touchdown run. The Cougars were not ready to give up and scored the go ahead touchdown on their ensuing possession. The Sturgeon offense sputtered and the Cougars hung on for a 19-14 victory.

The Sturgeon are looking forward to their home opener Sunday June 13, at 3 p.m. at Norm Perry Park. Things do not get any easier as they face the number one ranked Toronto Junior Argos. The Sturgeon look forward to this challenge as they will be competing with a full squad for the first time this season.