The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy U16 team hammered the British Columbia U16s 53-6 Saturday in Vancouver, capping off a hugely successful tour for the young EIRA players.

The two teams also faced off three days ago, with EIRA winning 34-0. In the two games EIRA did not give up a try.

Eagle Impact looked all sorts of special early on in the game, but little mistakes undercut some promising attacking moves. Still, with props Doug Mitchell and David Ainuu powering thorugh the gain line, and wing Ben Broselle making inroads on counter-attacks, the EIRA team put BC under intense pressure. Eventually that led to a try in the corner.

BC came back and punished EIRA for a series of penalties in the breakdown. That led to three kickable penbalties, two of which were converted for a 6-5 BC lead. But after that, EIRA stopped trying to poach the ball so much and cut their penalty count. A big break from No. 8 Bailey Wilson, which he finished with a pick-and-go from the base of the ruck, put EIRA back in front, and after a successful penalty kick, Broselle set up another try with a weaving run.

In the second half, flanker Jake Ericksen, who had a superb game, raced in under the sticks in the opening minute.Broselle's running set up a quick tap for Ainuu, and then the backs got into the act, working with the loose forwards to create three more tries.

BC couldn't really get anywhere once EIRA decided to just hold their defensive line and avoid ruck penalties. The interplay with ball in hand by EIRA was impressive, showing exactly why the network of regional weekly academies, concentrating on basic skills, is working.