OAKVILLE, Ont. - It had all the hallmarks of a typical season opener - with some moments of brilliance mixed in with some mental lapses - but ultimately the Sheridan Bruins men's rugby team (1-0 OCAA) had enough to put away Conestoga 48-28. 

"I thought we played okay. Overall I can't be too hard on the boys considering we put 48 points up, but we have work to do," head coach Rick Bria said. "Not retreating on penalties killed us. They got two easy tries because our boys decided they were going to turn their backs and not be ready for a quick ball. So we're definitely going to work on that."

Justin Tota got the Bruins on the board in just the fourth minute, after setting up shop deep in Conestoga territory following a knock on by the Condors on the opening kickoff. It would not be the last time Tota would strike pay dirt, tying the single-game team record with three tries, and booting three converts to a new team record with 21 points.

The Double Blue also received first half tries from Tristian Hylton - who evaded a tackle, broke two more, and then left the full back flat-footed to take off on an 80-metre scoring dash - and Michael Galipo to lead 17-0 at the interval. 

A back-and-forth second half saw Conestoga scores four tries - Matt DaCosta (2), Liam McCullouch, and Zack Snider - but they were still out-paced by the Bruins. Tota scored two of his three after the break, Hylton added a second, while Nicholas Galipo and Adam Yhip also got on the score sheet.  

Sheridan hits the road for their next contest, travelling to Mohawk on Sept. 22.