CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - The P.E.I. Mudmen and the Fredericton Loyalists opened the Maritime Elite Men's Rugby League season with a near-replay of the teams Caledonia Cup final last season and the Loyalists did it again this time with a 41-33 victory.
In Fredericton, N.B., on Saturday, the Loyalists rode Emil Sehic hat trick of tries, all converted by Johnny Cullen, in the second half for the victory.
The game was tied 20-20 at halftime.
In the first half, the Loyalists had tries from Eric Duplessis, Austin Comeau and Cullen, who also slotted a convert and a penalty.
Mike Deighan, Chis Knapp, Phil Gallant, Charlie Waddell and Spence Messiah had the tries for the Mudmen. Ryan Lloyd added two converts and a penalty kick.
The back and forth battle saw six lead changes and a late comeback by P.E.I.
In Saturday's B division matchup, the Loyalists and Mudmen tied a well-contested match 22-22.
The Loyalists got tries from Justyn Roberts, Simon Pacey and Matt Cole, with Andy Sanford contributing two converts and a penalty.
Down by 14 points, tries from Mark Lloyd and Donny Sonnier led the Mudmen back to even the game 22-22.
On the women’s side in Truro, N.S., the Charlottetown Rugby Football Club (CRFC) Tier A team scored a 73-0 win over Halifax RFC, while in Tier B Windsor Hants County thumped CRFC 116-5.