A pair of Capilano Rugby Club standouts helped Canada's under20 national team to a second-place showing at the Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament held May 28-June 9 in Temuco, Chile.
Jordan Reid-Harvey and Nathan Yanagiya suited up for the tournament as the Canadians battled all the way to the final where they lost 4523 to Italy. The loss, however, means that Canada must stay at the second-tier JWRT level for at least one more season while the Italians earn promotion into the top-flight Junior World Championship group for 2014.
The Canadians went undefeated in the group stage, beating Tonga 24-6, Japan 39-15 and Uruguay 36-15 to qualify for the final. Their luck ran out against Italy though as a pair of yellow cards against Canada helped the Italians to turn a 17-16 second-half lead into a 31-17 advantage in one four-minute stretch.
"The first half we didn't attack with as much flare as we should have done, that goes for both sides," said Canadian head coach Mike Shelley in a Rugby Canada release. "Italy became more physically dominant in the second half. It led to us going down to 13 players, where we gave up the points. Italy were strong and didn't risk much."
Canada battled back but couldn't close the gap in the dying minutes.
"It's bittersweet," said Canadian captain Pat Kay. "We want to be proud of second. There will be a good group of guys next year. Hopefully they'll be in the final game."
- Four North Shore birdie bashers won medals at the 2013 Yonex Canadian Masters Badminton Championships held last month in Richmond.
Leslie Lau led the way, becoming national champion in both the men's 35+ and 40+ age categories.
Clara Wai also won a pair of national titles, teaming up with Joyce Pittman to claim gold in women's 40+ doubles and with Damaris Brix in women's 50+ doubles. Siew-Har Hong won gold in 60+ mixed doubles and silver in 60+ women's doubles while Siu-Imm Tay won three silver medals, finishing second in 35+ mixed doubles, 35+ women's doubles and 40+ women's doubles.
