The senior rugby team's move to AAA has had some ups and downs but the Cavs 24-3 win over Handsworth yesterday has propelled them into the Vancouver Sea-To-Sky Championship game. 

Collingwood will now play St. George's for the AAA New Zealand Shield.  The Cavs won the AA New Zealand Shield a record 17 times.  That trophy is 30 years old.  By contrast the AAA trophy is 101 years old and documents the history of high school rugby in Vancouver in the most amazing way. 

It's a special moment in Collingwood's rugby history to be challenging for the original shield for the first time ever.

In yesterday's game, the Cavs faced a very big and athletic Handsworth team.  The Royals outweighed the Cavs at almost every position.

Collingwood built a 17-3 lead in the first half with three terrific tries that involved tremendous handling.  Julius R opened the scoring and then Xavier A sped in for two tries of his own.  Xavier's second try was especially important since it was the last play of the first half.

In the second half, Collingwood dominated play but threw away multiple opportunities to extend their lead.  The Cavs one try came off a terrific maul off a line-out.  Coach Larisch was definitely happy with his forward pack when Benny P dotted the ball down after the smaller Cavs pushed the Royals back over their own try-line.

Collingwood will now face #1 St. George's Dragons next week.  The Cavs hope to redeem themselves after a very poor performance against Saints in their league match-up.

Julius R stretches across the line for the first try of the game.

Mateen A goes high in the air to win a line-out.

Xavier A scored two long-range tries yesterday.

Benny P is playing some great rugby for the Cavs.

Matt M moves the ball wide on attack.

(All photos by Blair Shier @blairshier)