The Sea to Sky Eagles rugby league club romped to its first victory of the season with a 52-12 thrashing of Burnaby Lake on Friday (June 22).
Player coach Ally Macauley was delighted with his side's progress in the last few weeks saying, "The guys have really stuck together really worked hard and are now being rewarded.
"It has been a steep learning curve but their progress was there for all to see. We've worked hard on defence and really that laid the platform for this win - they are a big side with a couple of experienced international players, who never got a look in."
Macauley added that some of the young Squamish players are making an impact early in their rugby league careers.
"I've watched some of the guys grow up in just four games. Josh Watts is just 17 and he was outstanding up front, as was Tom Moore, who put in a massive tackling stint."
Much of the Eagles' inspiration and organization comes from Aussie halfback Matt Upton, who ended up with a personal haul of 18 points from two solo tries and five conversions. But it was his creative talent that led the way. He put Glenn McKinnon through for two long-range tries and his kick set up centre Chris Ealey for a simple touchdown.
Cochise Misiluti added an impressive solo effort to make the halftime score 34-0 for the Eagles.
The second half saw strong running from McKinnon, Moore and Nolan Ryan-Raschelle creating the platform for Rae Macauley to crash over. Later, wingers Reuben Bennett and Wes McVey scored in each corner to add to the lead.
Macauley said the addition of several players from Capilano, fused with talented young Squamish players, has made for a good team.
"The influx of Capilano union players has given us a really competitive squad that we can build on for next season," he said. "The union guys are loving playing league and the local Squamish guys - most of them teenagers - are loving playing on a team that represents their town. Josh Watts was man of the match and he's just typical of the talent coming through."
With the win, the Eagles qualified for the postseason and will travel to Surrey on Saturday (June 30) to take on the Bayside Sharks. The Sharks beat the Eagles 68-34 on June 2 and will be looking for revenge in the final game of the season.
For more information on the league, www.bc.canada.rugbyleague.com.
