BC Rugby Weekend of September 13th 2025

BC Premier Week 1 Results: UBC Draw With Burnaby, Bays Ground Ravens, Pride Fall to Vikes, Westshore Defeat CW, Caps Top Lomas

A number of upsets in Week 1 as teams have recruited in the off season and the playing strengths for the new season become apparent. The biggest upset reported by the BCRU was the Bays over UBCOB Ravens. The Bays finished in the cellar last season and the Ravens won the Rounsefell Cup. In another match UVic were down 19 points at the half and upset the Rugby Canada Academy in a close battle. We have the full match video on both the UVic v Pride match and the Westshore v CW match, courtesy of the host clubs YouTube channels.

Welcome to Week 1 of the BC Premier season and our first predictions of the season along with rosters. This season we have a guest contributor as well, Seán Ryan, a rugby content creator originally from Cork, Ireland, now based in Ontario. He’s been following the BC Premier from afar and we’ll be going head to head in the predictions. Welcome Seán, his bio is below.

We’ll award 1 point for predicting the correct winner (or a draw if predicted), a +2 bonus point for also getting the point differential spot on – which is a rare occurrence. Let the games begin. If you want to play along, post your predictions in the comments section before Saturday. If someone beats both of us, then we’ll come up with a prize.

The rosters are listed in the format (previous week/current week) since this is Week 1 only UBC have a previous week and we’ve gone back to mid-March for the other teams to see who is missing and who is new this season.

Bio: Seán Ryan is a rugby content creator originally from Cork, Ireland, now based in Ontario. Since 2023, he has been covering the Marshall League and wider Canadian rugby scene through analysis, predictions, and history features. Seán has built a strong following on Instagram (@sean_ryan_radio) where he spotlights grassroots rugby clubs, produces weekly news updates, and runs series like Guess That Canadian Rugby Club. His goal is to help grow the game across Canada by showcasing the stories, results, and culture of rugby at every level. 

Burnaby Lake 30 v UBC 30 @ 14:30
Referee: David Smortchevsky AR1: Dan Cvitanovich AR2: Thomas Cooper
Venue: Burnaby Lake Rugby Club

Both teams come through Week 1 with 3 points, 2 for the draw plus a bonus point for scoring 4 tries. Burnaby scored 4 tries and UBC 5, it was 17-13 UBC at the half. Burnaby look much stronger this season, when these teams met last season in March it was 66-5 for UBC.

PREGAME

UBC are the only Premier team to get a game this season, they crushed TWU last weekend 76-0. So we have early indications they have a strong squad this year. Burnaby missed the playoffs last season, finishing 8th.

Burnaby have a strong returning front row of Worden, Kelly and Bradley. That will be an interesting battle with UBC. They have some new signings, Napolioni Bolaca at #10 is a Fijian player who played for the Fijian 7s team, also was an early signing with the Drua but not sure if he got any game time. He’s certainly one to watch. Tevita Daugunu in the centres is also a Fijian 7s player, so this could be interesting. The outside centre, Luke Torocoa, also Fijian and played for the Toronto Wolfpack. Burnaby’s 10, 12, 13 combination will have some flair. Missing is Ethan Turner, possibly with the Canada team in Colorado as he was on the long list for this summer. Reid Watkins is in the reserves at scrum half. It’s a good looking roster to start the season.

UBC have a similar roster to last week, Talon McMullin is missing, again another player on the Canada long list and could be in Colorado as we haven’t seen the player list travelling with the team. Liam James is his replacement, a top Canada U20 player. Stephen Webb comes into the roster, he was with the Canada team in Japan but obviously not suiting up against Fiji. He’ll have some Fijian opposition in this match however.

Based on last season results UBC would be clear favourites but the Burnaby Fijian connection looks impressive. I think the last 20 minutes and fitness level will be the key. Prediction: UBC by +10.

Seán Ryan: UBC by +7 – Rated highly going into the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship and coming off a second-place finish last year, they’ll be tough to stop.

Burnaby (March/current)

1 Lalit Bharadwaj / Luka Bradley
2 Joel Abdel-Barr / James Kelly
3 Bryce Worden
4 David Rafuse / Leo Chen
5 Sam Tsoi / John Southern
6 Jonah Fridfinnson / Clinton Odhiambo
7 Jack Bolton / David Dinbandhu
8 Dylan Horne / Jarod Byrnes
9 Ezequiel Rossetti / Anthony Carroll
10 Ethan Turner / Napolioni Bolaca
11 Wiremu Sharman / Stu Jamieson
12 Ed Shepherdson / Tevita Daugunu
13 Jeke Gotegote / Luke Torocoa
14 Stu Jamieson / Kyle Corrigan
15 Ethan Dromgool
16 Dylan Vermette / Joel Abdel-Barr
17 Luka Bradley / Iain Kennell-Webb
18 Liem Jung / Dylan Vermette
19 Rylin McKenzie / Cooper Johnston
20 Andrew McIntyre / Jonah Fridfinnson
21 Genaro Gandolfo / Kimi Vunituraga
22 Fynn Murphy / Reid Watkins
23 Matt Willemse / Jack Brady

UBC (Sept 6th/current)

1 Jacob BLACKWOOD
2 Emmett ALLAN / Ethan McCarthy
3 Graeme FRANCOLINI
4 Relmu WILSON-VALDES (C)
5 Joe MCNULTY
6 Liam KINGHORN
7 Aidan SUTHERLAND / Callum Arnesen
8 Cody NHANALA
9 Ben MARTIN / Stephen Webb
10 James BISS
11 Demetri PATTERSON / Niko Andrianos
12 Talon MCMULLIN / Liam James
13 Alastair MARSHALL
14 Niko ANDRIANOS / Max McGavern
15 Ben BEAUCHAMP
16 Josh du TOIT / Emmett Allen
17 Ethan McCARTHY / James Mahaffy
18 Charlie CLARK
19 Callum ARNESEN / Sandon Gupta
20 Max Birtley
21 Caleb SEUMANUTAFA / Ben Martin
22 Liam JAMES / Caleb Seumanutafa
23 Max MCGAVERN / Liam Turnbull

UBCOB Ravens 28 v James Bay AA 42 @ 14:30
Referee: Shanda Assmus AR1: Lance Davison AR2: Michael Landiak
Venue: Jericho Beach Park

The BCRU are reporting this score which is a huge upset, the Bays were in last place the previous season and the Ravens won the Rounsefell Cup. The table shows the Bays scored 6 tries and sit top of the standings with 5 points, tied with Westshore and UVic. The Ravens scored 4 tries and get a bonus point in the loss.

PREGAME

First and last place teams from last season meeting in Round 1 to kick off the season.

The Bays have bulked up their front row with Sam Miller, he played with the Pride and then went to Australia for a season, now with the Bays. Neil Trainor, also previously with the Pride then went to Anthem in the MLR for a season. Riley Lloyd, a kiwi, probably a decent tighthead. Ty Driscoll getting the start at #10, played with the Pride last year and was on the Canada U20 list earlier this year. Three Gonevou brothers in the roster. Missing are D’Shawn Bowen and Kainoa Lloyd, Cody Nhanala has moved to UBC.

Ravens missing some players, iconic flyhalf Aaron McLelland not in the roster, also missing Noah Bain, Nick Blain, Grant Crowell. There are 3 Carsons at 4,5,6 but Jack Carson missing. Louis Kassapian, the loosehead prop, from University of Bristol.

Ravens playing at home, perhaps not quite as strong a roster as their championship team from last season but still formidable. The Bays with a reinforced front row and few new names in the pack, the backline familiar from last season. Have to go with Ravens until we see what the new Bays look like this season. Prediction: Ravens +8.

Seán Ryan: UBCOB Ravens by +12 – Last year’s champions up against the bottom side of 2024. If they get a strong start, the double could definitely be in their sights.

James Bay (March/current)

1) Steve Stadnyk / Sam Miller
2) Tom Richardson / Neil Trainor
3) Dakota Lachance / Riley Lloyd
4) Asfi Saeed / Austin Hutchcroft
5) Alex Jordan / Harrison Archdekin
6) Brendyn Beck / Jacob Griffin
7) Cody Nhanala / Brendyn Beck
8) Mitch Young / Alex Jordan
9) Crosby Stewart / Tom Burton
10) Mike Nieuwenhuysen / Ty Driscoll
11) D’Shawn Bowen / Jeremiah Gonevou
12) Kainoa Lloyd / Mike Nieuwenhuysen
13) Mostyn Findlay / Isaac Gonevou
14) Iowane Raturaciri / Mostyn Findlay
15) Tom Burton / Craig Mitchell-Hermann
16) Toby Ng / Wyatt Pilz
17) Wyatt Pilz / Dakota Lachance
18) Georgiy Sinyakin / Julian Gauld
19) Asfi Saeed / Georgiy Sinyakin
20) Pete Massimo / Tyler Grom
21) Spike Street / Mark Yuen
22) D’Shawn Bowen / Malik James
23) Isaac Gonevou / Joeli Gonevou

Ravens (March/current)

1 Josh Tweed / Louis Kassapian
2 Vian Wollie Wolmarans / Isaiah Harrison
3 Dion Falconer / Saman Rezapour
4 Ethan MacDonald / Frank Carson
5 Don Carson / Hillyard Carson
6 Jake Ikeda / Don Carson
7 David O’Donoghue / Sean Beckett
8 Joe Locke
9 Gaspard de Ligault / Billy Wickham
10 Logan Henry / Santi Guadarrama
11 Cole Keffer / David Thompson
12 Tsugo Hirai
13 Hamish Janes
14 Noah Bain / Cole Keffer
15 Nick Blain / Jean Fish
16 Grant Crowell / Grant Madu
17 Owen Kokan / Kaleb Whitelaw
18 Joshua Christy / Mo Abujamous
19 Frank Carson / Ciaran Murphy
20 Owain Ruttan / Kelepi Gucake
21 Jack Carson / Marceau Bertin
22 Ethan Berry / Cam Lyman
23 Noah Jenson / Gio Sangiorgi

University Of Victoria 43 v Pacific Pride 36 @ 14:30
Referee: Kristine Lovatt AR1: Andrew Owen AR2: Olivia Ross
Venue: U Of Victoria- Wallace Field

This was a game of two halves, the Pride led 31-12 at the half and it looked like it would be a blowout. They lost momentum and the Vikes surged back to win the second half 31-5. The young UVic #10 Michael Oughtred, who is first year university, looked composed throughout the match and played the full 80 minutes. Morgan di Nardo had a strong match. Vikes get 5 points from the match, the Pride claim 2 bonus point in the loss. The UVic v UBC match next weekend at UVic will be a university qualifier and based on results so far it should be a very competitive match.

Match Video

PREGAME

UVic had a disappointing result last season, finishing second to last in the Premier and just getting into the University Championship by a narrow bonus point. The Pride finished 3rd in the Premier regular season behind Ravens and UBC.

UVic have a returning forward pack from last season and there’s only one new player in the starting XV and that’s #10 Michael Oughtred coming straight out of high school and getting the 1st team start, that’s impressive. It will be interesting to watch his progress this season. The two star backline players didn’t get a lot of time with the Vikes last season, Morgan di Nardo was with the Canada 7s team and Josh McIndoe was with the Canada U20 team but also played in NZ, I believe, for part of last season. They’re both impact players. Sion Griffiths is missing from last season.

The Pride have added Tyler Matchem to the front row, a big plus for them, he’ll likely be MLR bound in the spring. Jack Part is the only new forward, a quick search shows Calgary Hornets and Llandybie, Wales. He’s starting at #8. Missing from the backline from last season Rhys James, James Thiel, Kyle Tremblay.

A first game for both teams so a bit of an unknown. UVic with a young #10 and the Pride with the more experienced Jamin Hodgkins who has played in the Welsh Premier. UVic with a very capable outside threat in di Nardo and McIndoe. Based on last year’s results we’ll go with the Pride. Prediction: Pride by +5.

Seán Ryan: Pacific Pride by +8 – The future of Canadian rugby is on one team. They finished top 3 last season and should be feared every year.

UVic (March/current)

1 Phoenix Moller
2 Jordy Auger
3 Nic Willey
4 Muiredach Casey / Dane Siebens
5 Dane Siebens / Brendan Kim
6 Adam Doane / Sully Curran
7 Merlin M’Cloud / Adam Doane
8 Ryder Heaney-Corns
9 Lachlan Crooks / Reece Thompson
10 Gareth Sandner / Michael Oughtred
11 Jackson Powell / Morgan di Nardo
12 Sion Griffiths / Josh McIndoe
13 Mason Levin / Lockhart MacGregor
14 Morgan di Nardo / Thoron Koyote
15 Alex Gamage
16 Sully Curran / Annan McAllister
17 Kale Jones / Jack Marshall
18 Brighton Feldman / Kale Jones
19 Brendan Kim / Muiredach Casey
20 Josh Petrov / Jaxson Jones
21 Reece Thompson / Keegan Neary
22 Thoron Koyote / Mason Levin
23 Jack Penaluna / Jackson Powell

Pacific Pride (March/current)

1 Justin Tasse
2 Theo Espagnol
3 Connor Williams / Tyler Matchem
4 Mason McDonald / Jaiden John
5 Jaiden John / Mason McDonald
6 Karl Hunger / Taine Clague
7 Evan Logan
8 Taine Clague / Jack Part
9 Mitchell Buie / Chris Rose
10 Jamin Hodgkins
11 James Thiel / Andrew Cooper
12 Kyle Tremblay / Hudson Young
13 Rhys James / Liam Poulton
14 Thomas Cuzange / Ian Jones
15 Adam Stander / Thomas Cuzange
16 Austin Creighton / Porter Gook
17 Justin Tasse / Noah Kyneston
18 Cole Harris / Simroy John
19 James Stockwood / Nate Cameron
20 Logan Harris / Greg Putterhill
21 Daniel Muzaliwa / Rogan Moir
22 Liam Poulton / Jute Norlin
23 Jean-Louis Descoutte / Glenn Roy

Westshore 40 v Castaway Wanderers 29 @ 14:30
Referee: Julianne Zussman AR1: Cole Pedrick AR2: Juan Pablo Rey
Venue: Juan De Fuca

Westshore led 26-15 at the half with each team scoring 14 in the second half. Westshore claim 5 points to share top of the table with James Bay and UVic. Westshore visit the Ravens in their next match on September 27th while CW travel to the Lomas.

Match Video

PREGAME

Both teams made it to the playoffs last season, always a battle between these crosstown rivals.

CW missing a couple of props from last season Gavin Kratz and Denver Fatt, they’ve added Fred Regan. Gradyn Bowd also missing as is Ethan Hager, but they’ve added Seth Purdey. Shane Rikley-Krindle at outside centre played with the Pride last season.

Westshore missing Zephyr Melnyk, Alvin Otieno, Joe Kingham from their forward pack. They have Elias Hancock back from the 7s program. Their backline looks fully loaded with Mark Balaski at #10 returning from a season in Australia, Thomas Isherwood and the 3 Kenyan flyers, Olindi, Olouch, Oyoo. Prediction: Westshore by +7.

Seán Ryan: Westshore by +3 – They dominated last time out, but I think early season jitters might make this one closer than expected.

CW (March/current)

1 Gavin Kratz / Fred Regan
2 Antonio Corbin
3 Denver Fatt / Jace Peters
4 John Humphries / Ayo Ogunlabe
5 Ayo Ogunlabe / John Humphries
6 Mike Finnemore
7 Jack Wallace / Lucas Okano
8 Dafydd Thomas
9 Chris Gamage / Zech Pilgrim
10 Gradyn Bowd / Andrew Easson
11 Ethan Hager / Seth Purdey
12 Andrew Easson / Jordan Tait
13 Jordan Tait / Shane Rikley-Krindle
14 AJ Kosempel
15 Zech Pilgrim / Angus Boyd-Porter
16 Jack Marshall / Jack Sponarski
17 Jace Peters / Aiden Cole
18 Nat Dring / Jack McCann
19 Steve Pyke / Sam Johnston
20 Gord Kehoe / Nat Dring
21 Conor McKenzie / Chris Gamage
22 Keegan Hall / George Vorster
23 Matt Sutherland / Hugh Mager

Westshore (March/current )

1 Kane Perrett
2 Zephyr Melnyk / Andrew McNabb
3 Nathan Groenewold / Simeon John
4 Joe Kingham / Charles Taimani
5 Seth Recalma
6 Alvin Otieno / Daragh Carroll
7 Brian Ndirangu
8 Elias Hancock
9 Grayson Perry / Josh Nordstrom
10 Taylor McGuire / Mark Balaski
11 Nelson Oyoo / Johnstone Olindi
12 Jeff Olouch
13 Thomas Isherwood
14 Kal Sager / Nelson Oyoo
15 Jimmy Wilson-Bishop
16 Matt Evans
17 Simeon John / Bob McKay
18 Daragh Carroll / Aidan McCleary
19 Matt Weir
20 Aiden Holland / Darian Morrison
21 Thomas Heuser / Braiden Bespalko
22 Josh Nordstrom / Alex Mentiply
23 Alex Mentiply / TBA

Capilano 30 v Meraloma 21 @ 14:30
Referee: Nathaniel Hight AR1: Cole Northcott AR2: Chris Bowen
Venue: Klahanie Park

A bit of an upset, the BCRU relies on the referee to input the result as well as the number of tries, which wasn’t done in this match so we’re not sure about bonus points at the time of writing. The table shows the Caps at 4 points but that could change when BCRU staff do the updates. The next match for both teams is September 27th, Capilano host UBC and the Lomas host CW.

PREGAME

Meraloma had a top 4 finish last season, they may be one of the clubs most affected by the new import restrictions (only 7 imports), and they’re the last club to have their roster posted this week. At the time of writing, it’s still not posted. The Caps made the playoffs last season as well.

The Capilano are missing Izzak Kelly, with the Canada team in Colorado. A couple of starting forwards missing Mareko Fagasa-Nuku and Saba Shubitidze, also the star backline player, Melani Nanai, who was named to the Samoa Pacific Nations squad. They have a few new names Wade Jansen at #10 and Teancum Tuiali(i) at #8, they may be from the East Coast Bays team in NZ as the Capilano have an exchange program with them. Veterans Johnny Franklin and Chris Robinson are on the bench.

It’s 3:15pm Friday and still no sign of the Lomas roster, we’ve tried every contact we know. We figure it’s so top secret, it must be good. We’ll post it when it becomes available. It’s available now so an update as of 4:55pm. Lomas missing Doug Fraser, Rory McParland, Jordan Wilson-Ross from the backline but a lot of familiar names from last season with the 8, 9, 10, 11, 13  the same starters from last March and 1 to 5 from the reserves or earlier rosters from last season.

Still I need to put in my prediction, based on last season’s results, I’m going to say Lomas and this is the one prediction where Seán and I disagree, but then again, I didn’t get a Christmas ornament. Prediction: Lomas by +3.

Seán Ryan: Capilano by +1 – This could go either way. Meraloma were finalists last year, but Capilano are always dangerous — and they once sent me a Christmas ornament, so I’ll back them in a very tight one.

Capilano (March/current)

1 Mareko Fagasa-Nuku / Josh Leeks
2 Jacob Bossi
3 Arsalan Schaigan
4 Ryan Hickey
5 Izzak Kelly / Reid Yurkowski
6 Saba Shubitidze / Nick Pearce
7 Flynn Heyes / Cam Tanner
8 Colin Mitchell / Teancum Tuiali
9 Jamie Drummond / Toby Horn
10 Toby Horn / Wade Jansen
11 Cam Waddell / Austin James
12 Bruce Jones / Ryan Leskiw
13 Johnny Franklin / Caleb Kingi
14 Ben Taylor / Cam Waddell
15 Mike Moloney
16 Joey Ficocelli / Angus Walker
17 Mackenzie Mills / Hussein Khadr
18 Vincent Liardet-Smith / Blair Twaddell
19 Sasha Putt / Hamish MacDonald
20 Nick Pearce / Callum Steer
21 Reid Yurkowski / Johnny Franklin
22 Ryan Leskiw / Seamus O’Sullivan
23 Doug Stuart / Chris Robinson

Meraloma (March/current)

1 Geoff Brooks / Andy McMeel
2 Gil Cann-Vaana / Corey Hughes
3 Scott Bowers / Tom Webb
4 Jordan Quinn / Craig Trimble
5 Conor O’Brien / Jordan Quinn
6 Aaron Hickey / Sam Lyon
7 Evan Galvin / Elijah Corbett
8 Jalan Farris (c)
9 Luc Thompson
10 Joe Wilde
11 Keith Graham
12 Doug Fraser / Corne Ludick
13 Kenny Saito
14 Jordan Wilson-Ross / Quenten Coetsee
15 Rory McParland / Ben Shaw
16 Cian Cunningham / Mark Rickard
17 Andy McMeel / Bradley Milton
18 Tom Webb / James Adams
19 Craig Trimble / Alex Tagg
20 Corne Ludick / Tyus Dimbleby
21 Giovanni Guizzetti / Eoin Long
22 Tyus Dimbleby / Ted O’Leary
23 Jad Hamade / TBA