A very busy rugby schedule since last Sunday; had the Exiles a little battered & bruised but ready to play their 3rd league match in five days. Last Sunday a very physical "friendly" with Gonzaga Black; an easy win over Frederick, the heartbreak loss to West Carroll had us wondering who was going to show up today. The week had taken a toll as starting prop Felipe Bustos and reserve second row Matt Patkus were out with injuries. Friday night's match left fly half with a bruised thigh. Sunday morning required head coach Jean-Louis Moures to make some tough decisions. One of our most experienced players, Aiden Perrenoud, was called on to play fly half minutes before game time. One of our newest players, Leo Simon got the nod to play flanker at the start of the game. This seemed to work, as the first few minutes of the game, North Bay was kept on their heels with quick passing; the ball going down the line to the wings, forwards getting ball and breaking into the line. North Bay was a determined foe and tackled hard and held the advantage in possession of the ball for a large part of the first half - but could not score due to very good tackling by both backs & forwards. Likewise, North Bay's defense prevented the Exiles from penetrating into their side of the field. Flanker Alexandre Rogy was forced off the field with a hamstring injury nine minutes into the game with Aymeric Busidan coming in. The scoring drought ended 25 minutes in when scrum half Pierre Marcandella made a brilliant assist by drawing defenders in and passing out to winger Siya Dalton. This seemed to unleash the Exiles attack. Aiden Perrenoud who had been playing fly half excellently all game, saw an opportunity to crash and brought the Exiles back near the goal line with Pierre Marcandella scoring just 3 minutes after the first. Unfortunately, Aiden was injured on this play and Nathaniel Turak came in despite his boo boo. The pressure was on and Pierre scored his second try minutes after his first. Second Row Max Cohen sniffed the try zone again but was denied, however Cohen set the ball so that we maintained possession allowing Pierre to go in. The first half was capped by prop Adam Tounkara who had taken a pass off a ruck and ran in for a try. 24-0 and another half to go.

At half Leo Simon and fullback Noah Lucas came off; with Mitch Fenton returning to play at flanker after his cut eye versus Gonzaga and Elijah Bruce coming on at wing. Siya Dalton shifted out to fullback. As time wore on; and it became apparent that North Bay would not be staging a huge come back and the warm day and long week was tiring players out; more substitutions were made: Pierre came out with Ryan Hunt closing out the game at scrumhalf. Elijah Bruce fresh and ready scored a long try after taking an outlet pass. Christian Mendoza came in for prop Charlie Heim but went to second row, allowing Max Cohen to log some time in on the front row. Samuel Kreutzer took a break at hooker as Max Engel came in. Seamus McDonald scored our final try to put us up 36-5 and he was awarded with a rest. Second row Kyle Wilson to debut as a wing and he got to advance the ball up the field after taking a pass. A penalty try was awarded to North Bay for multiple infractions at the try zone late in the match but the outcome was decided. Exiles 36 - North Bay 12

We possessed the ball 53% of the game which was a huge help. Elyes Ammar won a couple balls which North Bay had by smart heads up play. We did not win every loose ball but were very aggressive so got our fair share.

Position flexibility really helped us here. Especially the change at fly half to start the game. This gave the head coach a lot of options when players had to come off. The more positions you learn to play; the better perspective you will have of the game. Especially valuable are players who can play multiple forward and back positions like Aiden who has played number 8, flanker, full back and fly half and oh by the way propped when playing 7's. That versatility makes us a stronger team and you a better player. We played as one team today with forwards and backs blended nicely when in the loose. Congratulations to you all in a great team effort.