The fourth time was a charm for the Handsworth Royals senior field hockey team who finally defeated Argyle in the North Shore championship game Monday at Rutledge Field after losing three previous matchups against the Pipers.
The 3-2 win earned the Royals their third straight North Shore AAA title but this one was much tighter than the decisive victories in the previous two. "It was extremely close, as all of the games have been with Argyle this year," said Handsworth head coach Graham Walker. "The games have been so back and forth, a few lucky bounces here, a few lucky calls there. That's how the game is resolved. Both teams really played their hearts out. You could tell at the end of the game one team was really elated and the other team was really upset at not getting the victory. That's just because both teams played so hard."
The Royals have set the standard in the powerful North Shore league in recent years, finishing second at the AAA provincials last season after winning three straight B.C. titles from 2011 to 2013.
This year's Handsworth team is a little different, however, with only four Grade 12 players on the roster and just six players back from last year's silver medal squad. None of the players suited up for the Royals when they won provincial gold two years ago.
"We have a really young team this year," said Walker. "I've just been really happy with the way the team has developed this year and how they've improved since the
start of the season. We've played all of the top teams in the province this year and we've done very well against them."
They haven't, however, come out on top in all of those games, including all of their matchups against Argyle prior to Monday's final. The Pipers beat the Royals 4-2 in regular season play on Oct. 1 and also knocked off their longtime rivals at two different tournaments.
This season was a slugfest between the two teams as well as the West Vancouver Highlanders, who finished third in the North Shore league, said Walker.
"Argyle has a great team this year, Handsworth has a great team this year, West Van has got a great team this year," he said. "They're all quite evenly matched, which has made this season a lot of fun. You just never knew which way any of the games was going to turn out.... (And) all the players know each other. That makes it extra fun."
The teams may meet yet again as all three have qualified for the provincial championships running Nov. 12-14 in Duncan. The tournament is wide open this year, said Walker, adding that all three of the North Shore teams have a shot at taking the title. Co-hosts Shawnigan Lake, last year's winners, and Cowichan will also likely have a say in the matter. "It's really hard to tell who is going to win these provincials," said Walker. "I'd say of the top six teams in the province, the three North Shore teams are right in that mix."
Walker said he's hoping for a top-three finish for his young Royals, adding that he wouldn't be shocked to see any of the North Shore teams take the title.
"I'd be absolutely ecstatic if one of the North Shore teams could win," he said. "That would be fantastic. We'll be cheering for Argyle and West Van when we're not playing them, for sure."
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At the AA level the Collingwood Cavaliers claimed the North Shore banner with an emphatic 6-0 win over the Seycove Seyhawks. Both teams competed in the provincial AA championships this week with Seycove finishing fourth, losing to host St. Michaels University School in the bronze medal game. Collingwood, meanwhile, was scheduled to take on Crofton House in the championship final on Friday, after North Shore News press deadline.
