Montreal Exiles Rugby

On Saturday, September 17th the MONTREAL EXILES RFC played their semifinal game against crosstown rivals the Westmount Ravens.  The Ravens had beaten the Exiles twice during regular season play so both teams were geared up for a big grudge match.  The Exiles came out hard, strong and fast right from the kickoff going up 8-0 very quickly with a penalty kick and an unconverted try from Jamie Henderson.  The try came when Jamie picked off a pass from the Westmount inside to outside centre to score.  The Ravens were visibly shaken but able to pull things together and tie up the game with 10 minuted left in the half.  Going into halftime the Exiles were pressuring the Westmount try line, however after a string of unlucky events, it was the Ravens who managed to score ending the half 15-8 in Westmount’s favour.

Down by seven points, the Exiles forwards played their hearts out winning all their own and often stealing scrum and lineout ball, however the Exiles were simply unable to capitalize.  The Exiles were unwilling to give up and it was only an unlucky bounce and a slight overlap which allowed for Westmount to score two more second half tries.  Notwithstanding, with eighteen minutes remaining the Exiles were relentless in their attack and finally penetrated the Westmount defence to get into the try zone.  Unfortunately, in a haste to gain better field position for the convert, the TINY try zone was overshot before the ball could be touched down.  Even then, the Exiles did not give up and led again by strong forward play, attacked the Westmount try line over and over again.

Nevertheless, in the end, it was simply not meant to be the Exiles’ day.  All played hard.  All played well.  All bled Exiles red.  But in the end, it was Westmount who won 27-8.  A neighbouring-borough rivalry has been born…between the oldest Quebec rugby club and the newest Quebec rugby club!

2011 Semifinal Game - Exiles 8 Westmount 27

SCORING:

- Jamie Henderson (8 pts; 1 try; 1 penalty kick)

Man of the Match: Alfredo Demartino

THE INAUGURAL MONTREAL EXILES RFC SEASON HAS FINISHED.  WE DID IT & WE MADE RUGBY IN NDG HAPPEN.  SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR!

On Saturday, September 10th the MONTREAL EXILES RFC kicked off the post-season with a quarterfinal game against the sixth ranked Nomades de Laval.  The Exiles played a very strong first half scoring a penalty kick and a converted try to Laval’s lone converted try to go into halftime leading 10-7.  The Exiles’ try came about from hard work by the forwards who executed excellent pod work off of a penalty in Laval’s 22 which ultimately led to Alfredo Demartino scoring his first try of the season.  The half did not end easily for the Exiles however, as Laval put on immense pressure in the last 10 minutes of the half, only to be thwarted by the superior Exiles goal-line defence.

The second half saw some truly champagne rugby played as the Exiles were able to score two more tries & a penalty kick and keep laval out of any scoring position.  The first try of the second half came about after almost the entire 15-man Exiles roster touched the ball during a multi-phase Exiles attack ending with Telly Loukas also scoring his first try of the season.  Shortly after, Mat Garston was able to round out the scoring by running the ball into the try zone after the Exiles forwards managed to steal the ball off of a Laval scrum.  The game ended with a score of 23-7 in favour of the Exiles who will now meet the division leading Westmount Ravens in the semifinals this upcoming Saturday, September 17th at 3PM at Confederation Park.

SCORING:

- Alfredo Demartino (5 pts; 1 try)
- Telly Loukas (5pts; 1 try)
- Mat Garston (5pts; 1 try)
- Jamie Henderson (8 pts; 1 conversion; 2 penalty kicks)

Man of the Match: Telly Loukas

2011 Quarterfinal Game - Exiles 23 Laval 7

Following the game, the Exiles also had their annual raffle draw fundraiser with Andrew Arpin – bar staff from our sponsor bar Ye Olde Orchard – winning the Montreal Alouettes football tickets grand prize.  Special mention goes out to junior Exiles player Kyle Brunet who fundraised $130 & senior Exiles player William Scott who fundraised $200.  At present, the raffle has been able to fundraise over $800 to continue to promote rugby in the NDG area and help support our youth rugby players.