On a visit to his sister in England, Bent was glad to stop in the province to see how Valley rugby had developed over 30 years.
He recalled his three sons first throwing a ball around on the family’s front lawn. Then they played a decade of soccer in the West Kings area.
Going back to the game in high school, he said, the trio managed to interest about 50 schoolmates in playing.
“Our first game was in 1985 and we beat Kings Edgehill,” Bent said. The Windsor school had the only other rugby squad in the Valley.
A young West Kings teacher, Dave Galloway, got involved, he said, and the two of them attended a coaching clinic at Dalhousie University.
“That put us in touch with other clubs,” Bent noted. “The boys were into it. They started out losing and in three years they beat them all.”
The original Bulldogs expanded beyond West Kings, he added, then girl friends wanted to play.
Galloway is still coaching in Kings County. His focus is on the Horton High School girls now.
Bent enjoyed watching the rugby at the Collins Road field.
“There was dynamic playing. They were really speedy, had some good side stepping and strategic defence,” he noted.
Ashley Brooker, who is president of Valley Bulldogs Rugby, reported that the women’s team defeated Enfield in a 71 – 38 match.
A friendly game between the Old Boys and the Halifax Rugby Club ended in a tie. The Mens Bulldog team played the Eastern Shore Rugby and Football team and trounced them 66 - 10.
The mini players also tied their game, coming back, said Bent, “like the tide.”
Brooker said she was pleased by the turnout for the reunion, especially the fact the Bents could take part.
“There were close to 50 here,” she said. “It’s been really great.”
Described as an extremely social organization, which has experienced great on-field accomplishments throughout its existence, the club was founded in 1987.
The matches on Saturday were followed by a bbq, speeches and dedications to those who have grown and supported the game over the years.
Here’s how to connect
Want to get involved? Contact the Valley Bulldogs Rugby Football Club by email: ([email protected]); Facebook (Valley Bulldogs Rugby Football Club); Instagram (ValleyBulldogsRFC); or Twitter (Valley RFC).
