Montreal Barbarians capture Quebec Cup

BY MICHAEL PIASETZKI

The Chronicle

The Montreal Barbarians capped off one of its most successful seasons as a club Saturday by capturing the most coveted trophy in men’s provincial rugby, the Quebec Cup.

In an all-West Island premier league final played at Ste. Julie – one that turned out to be as brutally physical and competitive as any in the past — the veteran-laden Dollard des Ormeaux-based Barbs defeated a determined but error-prone Ste. Anne de Bellevue squad 10-6 to walk away with its ninth title in the past 10 years, including the last six consecutive. The victory concluded a memorable summer and fall for the Barbarians, one, that featured a men’s premier team division title and Bardon Cup, and a women’s premier team Quebec Cup.

“It was close. Ste. Anne gave us a tremendous battle,� said Barbs men’s premier side head coach Jason Thompson. “Some of our guys may be getting older, and Ste. Anne might be a team of the future, but what this game showed is our guys are not ready to give up the cup without a fight.�

On a cold, rainy afternoon Ste. Anne dominated the first half, yet managed to head into the break leading only 6-5 thanks to two Matt De Graff penalty kicks. Derek Della Rocca scored a try for the Barbs. The exhausting physical play during the second half began to take its toll on both sides, as several players were forced to leave the game with blood subs taking their place. However, with about 15 minutes left to play in the contest, Ian “Jimmy� Salmon finally scored the go-ahead and eventual winning try for the Barbs.

Salmon’s try was the result of much hard work by the Barbarians forwards. A sudden overlap allowed a couple of quick passes through the backs’ hands to Salmon who darted over the line by about a half-metre.