The Southeast Thistles have started off their 2018 campaign with a pair of road games, finishing with a 1-1 record.

Their first game of the year was a 46-5 loss to the Assassins. A face paced push by the Assassins was too much for the Thistles to handle as the Assassins who are a perennial Div. 1 finalist, scored off multiple turnovers. 

The Assassins were already in game shape and showed as the Thistles began to get run down as the game went on. Too many penalties and adjustments to a new system added to the problems the Thistles went up against. 

One positive to the Thistles took away was the play of newcomer Jay Masi.

The 19-year-old Fijian native made some impressive runs with the ball and had multiple try-saving tackles, chasing down Assassin runners who had broken through the Thistles poorly formed defensive lines. 

After a bye week, the Thistles came out firing against the Wasps and finished with a 55-7 victory.

The Thistles attack suffocated the Winnipeg club giving them almost no time with the ball. Scores from Pita Hoyt, Manoa Masi, Jules Malama, Matt Evans, Jay Masi, Mark Tamani and conversion kicks from halfback Simeli Naivalu, put the game out of reach. A better execution from their new system under coach Pita Hoyt and communication resulted in a high octane exciting game.

The Thistles used their whole bench in the game and never showed signs of slowing up until the last 15 minutes of the game where they got into penalty trouble. This cost the local club the shutout and a bonus point in the standings. Two players, Ifa Kaukirewa and Les Whatford, were also sent off for 10 minutes after receiving yellow cards in the later stages of the game for foul play. 

The Thistles are welcoming anyone in the area to attend their home opener on June 29th at 7:30 pm at A.D. Penner Park. The only senior men's rugby club in the area is always looking for new players to join. They hold practices at A.D. Penner Park Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 pm. For more information contact the club via email at southeastrugby@yahoo.com or the clubs Facebook page - Southeast Thistles Rugby Club.