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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 24, 2008 - 23 OT shakes off slow start, heads into rugby playoffs on a roll By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF It's been an unusual year for the Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils. Unusual because the number in the win column did not match the number in the games played column. Of course, it wasn't anything as drastic as a loss -- the usual 0 still filled that column beside their name. But for a team that has won 36 titles in the last 37 years, ties do not mean the same thing that they do to other teams. "They don't ever want to lose," said Oakville Trafalgar coach David Schaffler. "Ties to them are akin to losing." So a mid-season tie against T.A. Blakelock may have been just what the team needed to shake it out of an earlyseason funk -- if you can call two wins by a combined 77-5 score and 5-5 tie a funk. But when your team is coming off its second Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) bronze medal in three years, you can. "We had a lot of turnover and the (Grade) 11s that came in, it took them a while to adjust to that level," Schaffler said. "I think a lot teams started looking at us and thinking, `Is this the year we knock them off?'" Abbey Park had to be one of those teams. The Eagles had also tied Blakelock so they had to like their chances in Tuesday's regular season finale against OT. Instead the Red Devils rolled to a 440 victory -- capping a three victory run to close the season in which they outscored their opponents 151-0. Schaffler credited returning players Ryan Natale, Matt Rampen and Scott Asselstine with helping to refocus the team after its `slow' start. OT also got a boost from the return of Simon WardAble, a provincial player who came back from wrist surgery at the end of the season, who gave the already formidable Devils another weapon. Schaffler said despite yet another undefeated season (6-0-1), other teams are closing the gap. Blakelock gave a hint of its impending challenge by losing a close decision, 22-15, to OT in last year's junior final. Notre Dame, a finalist last year and the only team to interrupt the Devils' championship run in 2000, scored 17 points against the Devils -- more than double the points OT gave up all last season. And despite the lopsided win over Abbey Park, Schaffler isn't discounting the Eagles. "Trust me, it shocked us, too. We have to be careful the guys don't start thinking, `We've beat them once...' Maybe that wasn't (Abbey Park's) best game. The potential is there (for an upset)." And while that's the last thing a coach would want, Schaffler at least welcomes the possibility. "As scary as it is as a coach, it's good for us. It's nice to see and it helps the sport." Holy Trinity played at Notre Dame and Abbey Park hosted White Oaks in quarterfinal games on Friday. (Results were not available at press time). The Red Devils and Blakelock received first-round byes. OT will host the lowestranked survivor of the quarterfinal games Monday at 4:45 p.m. The Halton final will be played Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Sherwood Park in Burlington. KNEE, HEEL & ARCH PAIN ARE TREATABLE! Understanding the source of your foot and knee pain could lead to permanent relief. Book a consultation today! SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST NEW LOCATION Free Parking in front of office We Treat: · Diabetic Foot Care · General Care · Custom Made Foot Orthotics P Covered by most insurance companies. 728 Burloak Drive 905-632-1414 K ! OOINE iscover the B L N O Crosswinds Experience D Halton Women's Place Ladies Night Kick-Off Monday, May 26th at 5:00 pm (4:30 pm Free Ladies Only Clinic) All Ladies Welcome! Shepley sets her sights on earning LPGA Tour card 2008 Green Fees · Weekdays (Mon. to Thurs.) · Weekends (Fri. Sat. 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