Brandon Barbarians Dominate, Advance to Rugby Manitoba Final

The Brandon Barbarians secured a spot in the Rugby Manitoba Men’s Division 2 final after a decisive 46-22 victory over the Winnipeg Assassins in the semifinals held on Saturday at John Reilly Field. The Barbarians dominated the first half, establishing a commanding lead that set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Brandon’s performance was characterized by an impressive offensive display, with Richard Pierreroy scoring two tries. “It was almost a complete shutdown on their side,” he remarked after the game. He believed that had the team maintained their intensity throughout the entire match, they could have achieved a shutout.

In the other semifinal, the Dauphin Mavericks fell to the Winnipeg Wanderers with a score of 24-12 in a tightly contested match that was tied at 12-12 at halftime.

With the Barbarians ranked second in the league with a regular season record of 6-3-1, they received the kickoff and immediately showcased their determination. Although the Assassins, who finished the season at 6-4-1, attempted to hold possession, a critical mistake allowed Brandon to take control. Just seven minutes into the match, Pierreroy crossed the try line, followed by a successful conversion from Bryson McNish, putting the Barbarians ahead 7-0.

“It was really important to set the tone and establish our dominance out there,” Pierreroy said. The Barbarians continued to build on their momentum. Over a span of just 15 minutes, they scored five additional tries, with contributions from McNish, Austin Landers, Pierreroy, Adam Kowalchuk, and Randy Cooke, culminating in a staggering 36-0 lead by halftime.

“It was a good half,” McNish stated. “When we play smart, that’s where we shine.” Head coach Bryce Colquhoun echoed McNish’s sentiments, expressing pride in the team’s cohesive play and defensive strength. “We played it to perfection,” he remarked.

The Barbarians continued to assert their dominance in the second half, extending their lead to 41-0 with a try from Keegan Pitcairn-Freiheit. However, with injuries and player substitutions taking their toll, Brandon was eventually reduced to 14 players. The Assassins capitalized on this, scoring four tries in a 19-minute span before the match concluded with another try from Pitcairn-Freiheit.

Colquhoun praised the effort of his substitutes, highlighting the challenges of managing player rotations in a sport with limited roster spots. “It was incredible. Everybody played hard for every minute they were out on that field,” he said. Despite the Assassins’ late surge, the Barbarians maintained their composure, allowing them to secure the win.

In a notable moment during the second half, Pierreroy sustained a significant cut above his eyebrow but quickly bandaged the injury and returned to action. He expressed enthusiasm about reaching the final, stating, “It’s incredibly exciting. It’s something I haven’t had a whole lot of experience with.”

The Brandon Barbarians, established in 1981, have a storied history, having previously won Division 2 titles in 1986, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2010. They last reached the final in 2023 but have struggled to capture a championship in recent years. “It’s been a long time since we won it all,” Colquhoun reflected.

As they prepare for the final against the Wanderers, McNish emphasized the importance of this match for the team. “Winning it this year would be massive for the boys,” he said, hinting that it might be his last season. The Barbarians are determined to clinch the title, aiming to solidify their legacy within the sport.

With the final set for next weekend, the Barbarians remain focused and ready. “Definitely the work is not done. We’re ready for next week,” Pierreroy concluded, highlighting the team’s commitment to achieving their goal.