A late surge by the Winnipeg Assassins led to the top team in Rugby Manitoba’s Division 2 beating the hometown Dauphin Mavericks, 36-22, Saturday at Kin Field.
The Mavericks led at various times during the game, including a 22-17 advantage in the second half.
But Winnipeg put its experience to good use, taking the lead and eventually putting the game away in the latter stages.
Daniel Evans accounted for all of Dauphin’s points, scoring three tries, kicking two converts and adding a penalty kick.
It was the second loss of the season for Dauphin, with both coming at the hands of the Assassins.
In this second defeat, the Mavericks were using some players in different positions.
“We’re starting to get some new guys in, some younger guys. We’re trying to maximize our subs,” said Mavericks player-coach Shawn Sarkonak.
“They do have a little more experience than us and they are bringing it out. But we can’t use that as an excuse. We actually have to take that as a pat on the back. But we’ve just got to get back to the drawing board.”
The heat played a factor as well, but as Sarkonak pointed put, it was the same for both teams.
“I think we got focused on watching the ball and not our opposite number and that got away from us and they were able to capitalize,” he added.
Taking a lead in the latter stages of the game against the top team in the league is something the Mavericks can be proud of and will prove to be a valuable learning experience for the younger players.
“They were able to expose some areas that we were inexperienced in once we started rolling our subs in. And they took advantage of it. So it’s a credit to them,” Sarkonak said.
“But it’s a credit to us for having a lead against the top team in the league. And we look forward to meeting them again in the playoffs, hopefully, in the finals.”
The focus now shifts to this Saturday, when the Mavericks will host the Brandon Barbarians at 1 p.m.
This is a game the Mavericks have had marked on their calendars all season.
“Basically, right now, it’s the Assassins, Barbarians and us for the top three and in order to stay there, we’ve got to take a win against Brandon,” Sarkonak said.
The Dauphin Lady Mavericks will play the Lady Barbarians in an exhibition match at 3 p.m.
