WINDSOR, N.S. — The Hants County Rugby Football Club's Machine men put up a valiant effort against the Halifax RFC during their home opener June 3 but it wasn't quite enough to register points.
The Machine led Halifax 12-0 at the half, but wound up losing 27-17 by the end of the afternoon battle in Windsor.
“I felt they played very well for 40 minutes — offensively and defensively they were outstanding,” said Ryan Alguire, the head coach of the Machine, following the match.
“In the contact area, they were strong, they were technical. They, in many respects, outplayed themselves. At the half though, I think fatigue set in.”
The wind conditions also didn't work in their favour.
“With few numbers on the bench to bring out the tired bodies, it was just a war of attrition that we were destined to lose,” said Alguire.
The coach said the final score was “a little disappointing” because they were “one try short of a bonus point and three points shy of a bonus point.”
Alguire said there were several stand out players during the home opener, including Axel Lawrence, who was filling in as a fly-half, Ian Armour, who “was a beast” playing No. 12, Sam Whidden, who played on the wing, and Luke MacPherson, who was “outstanding” playing No. 9 but has an injured hamstring.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, Alguire said they are going to build upon what the team did right.
“We're trying to focus on the positives and just build off what I saw that was good,” he said.
The Machine will have about a month to get down to business and improve their fitness levels before their next match.
The Machine host the Halifax Tars at King's-Edgehill School in Windsor on July 3 at 7 p.m. They are scheduled to visit the Dartmouth Pigdogs on July 21 at noon. To finish out the month, the Machine will host Enfield RFC at 3 p.m. on July 28.
