The Parkland Mavericks improved to 8-2 on the season with a convincing 56-19 win over the Winnipeg Wasps, Saturday, in Winnipeg.
Julien Lopez and Ronin Mouck had two tries each, while Owen Tyschinski, Garrett Fletcher, Nate Yury, Riley Keith and Colten Miner had one each.
Mouck also added four converts and a penalty kick.
Fletcher was named Man of the Match for his efforts.
“He stuck some huge tackles out there. Even though a lot of players scored, he got Man of the Match for how he led on the field,” said Mavericks captain Jordan Campbell.
Campbell said the team’s pack was a major factor in the win.
“Our pack won us the game. They played perfect. They didn’t pick up any penalties. They played as a unit. We blew them out in the scrums. Physically, they had way bigger players than us, but we were just hitting with everything we had,” he said, adding a lot of the backs did the scoring, but it was all off of the play of the pack.
A game like this will give the Mavericks added confidence as playoffs draw near.
“It gives us a better taste of their Div. 2 team. All season we’ve been playing a mixture of Div. 1 and Div. 2 guys, so we’re really anticipating anything,” Campbell said.
“We’re ready for the best of the best to come play. To be honest, we’re dialed in right now. We’re playing as a unit and we’re practicing that way, as well. Even practices I’ve noticed the intensity is picked up.”
The game against the Wasps was the best team play Campbell has ever seen from the Mavericks.
“We really lifted each other up and held each other accountable out there,” he said.
The Mavericks are 3-0 in Division 2 play and will end the regular season, Sept. 12 in Winnipeg against the Wombats.
Campbell said they want to get as many players into that game as possible, so they can rest some of their starters.
Campbell expects to host a playoff game, Sept. 19 or 26.