The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy U16 team defeated British Columbia’s U16 team in emphatic fashion Wednesday night, coming away with a 34-0 shutout at the Capilano Rugby Club in Vancouver, BC.

Under the coaching of Brendan Keane, Scott Bracken, and John Banarhall, the EIRA squad was brilliant defensively, and after a tight first half, blew the game open in the second period.

“Defense was something we talked about a lot and we got the sense that the players were really taking on the message,” said Keane, who added that the squad bonded quickly in the few days they’ve been together, and added, “there are now egos with this group.”

Openside flanker Jake Ericksen out of Mother Lode in California led with his defense and also won plenty of ball in the breakdowns. He combined well with inside center Jack Wendling out of Chuckanut in Washington to shut down the BC attack.

The teams changed ends with EIRA up two tries to none at 14-0. As the game wore on, both teams emptied their extended benches - each team had ten reserves - and EIRA’s level of play remained at a high level.

Captain and blindside flanker Bailey Wilson kept all of the players on an even keel. On attack, EIRA did well to break through the line in the midfield, and keep the ball alive to make those line break work. Flyhalf Sean Nolan was effective with his kicking, too.

“We did well and we really wanted to shut them out,” said Keane. “But we still have a lot of work to do. It’s a really good start and it’s a credit to the coaching staff and to the boys and how they’re approached this tour.”

EIRA plays a rematch with the BC U16s on Saturday at 2pm PT at Capilano’s grounds.