The Parkland Mavericks overcame a slow start to win their season opener in Winnipeg, Saturday.
The Manitoba Wombats took an early 12-0 lead, but the Mavericks regrouped and stormed back for a 38-22 victory.
Ronin Mouck and Daniel Evans had two tries and two converts each and player-coach Codi Harrigan, Alex Boshoff and Riley Keith had a single try each.
Harrigan said the Mavericks were caught offguard by the Wombats strong start.
“We have a lot of new players that came out. We just had to learn where we needed to be and we had to learn our systems again. Just get used to each other, really,” he said.
“Then as soon as we found our chemistry, things started working out in our favour.”
Harrigan was pleased to see how every player supported their teammates on the field.
“If guys made a mistake, we kept our chins up. Kept our heads up. And we just went back to our systems. We kept playing our system.”
The Mavericks return to Winnipeg this weekend to face the Assassins, Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Harrigan hopes the team can keep building on its momentum.
“I think we will. These last couple of practices the guys have really bought into the system we’re introducing. They’re really happy with it and it was our first time to try it out and it worked out for us. The guys are happy and they’re looking forward to practice again,” he said, adding he is expecting a tough game against the Assassins.
“We will put in the work we have to do.”
The Parkland Lady Mavericks will play their first game, Saturday, when they face the Lady Barbarians in Brandon at noon.