They won a league championship last year. It was their second in a row.
Then, they lost 12 players due to graduation. They're back this year and are trying to make it three in a row. This year, the roster is much younger. Only four grade 12 players. Many programs would struggle after losing 12 top-end players in one year.
The Dauphin Clippers have made no excuses. Instead, they hit the field motivated. They won their first game of the year against Crocus Plains, 12-7. Seven days later, they scored 52 points against the Vincent Massey Vikings. Six days after that, the two top teams went head-to-head, and the Souris Sabres got the edge. They beat Dauphin, 12-5.
Aaron Miner is proud of how this year's team has come together, despite the major turnover.
"Development-wise, couldn't ask for anything better. We picked up a lot of grade 11 players and some grade 10s that we didn't even know had interest in playing rugby," said Miner. "Then we added some grade nine players as well from the Pirates program."
With wins in two of their three regular-season games, the Clippers ended the semifinals as heavy favourites against Vincent Massey, a team they beat by 30, 12 days earlier. Nothing is guaranteed in sports. But the Clippers continue finding ways to win.
It's an extremely hard-working group, and that was on full display on Tuesday night. Ronin Mouck had three tries, Alex Thompson added two, while Colton Miner had four conversions. Toss in a try each from Josh Yakielashek and Landyn Garton, and it was another convincing win. 43-17.
The win has advanced Dauphin to the league final.
"It was well executed, great team play. We knew we needed to play a disciplined game," offered Miner. "The last time we played them, they were missing a few key players. We played it perfectly, it was a great effort from our group."
Dauphin now waits to find out who is next. Crocus and Souris play on Wednesday night. The Sabres finished first in the regular season and have home-field advantage. Should they win, they'll host Dauphin in the league final on Saturday. Souris beat Crocus earlier this year, 43-20.
If Crocus Plains pulls off the upset, the championship banner and trophy will be won in Dauphin. The Clippers would host the game on Saturday, should Crocus win.
Dauphin is playing for their third straight league championship.
"It means a lot to our team and staff. We had a few big losses last week, Sully Fox and Gerald Lopez," continued Miner.
If the Clippers needed extra motivation ahead of Saturday's final, they need look no further than playing for Fox and Lopez.
"That has to get the guys going, driven," ended Miner. "I'm looking forward to a heck of a match. We lost to Souris 12-5, and it was a very heated and rough game. Rugby is a rough game to begin with, this was next level."
While the Clippers would enter the league final as slight underdogs if they play Souris, they would enter favourites should they play Crocus, after beating them earlier this season. On Wednesday night, the championship final will be set.
On the women's side, the Clippers steamrolled Crocus Plains, 105-0.
