Author Archive: MarkB

Women’s BC Blue vs BC Gold Series 2025 – Match #1

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Island Blue Win First Match 62-7 Over Mainland Gold

A close 12-7 game at the half blew up into a 62-7 win for Island Blue as they added 50 points in the second half. Winger Jenna De Greeff  notched 3 tries, Justine Blatt-Janmaat at  scrum half kept the team on the front foot, Sierra Gillis (tight head), Emily Findlay (8), and Shaye Ogurek (flanker) all had strong games for the Blue forwards, in the backs Lara Wright at outside centre was a standout as was Emily Currey on the wing. Carissa Norsten was originally listed as outside centre for the Island team but didn’t suit up so Lara Wright moved from #12 to #13 and Hadley MacPherson moved from the reserves to starting #12.

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World Rugby Updates – May 2025

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Final Qualification Tournament for Men’s RWC 2027 Set for Dubai in November; 20 Minute Red Cards Approved for Global Trial Including Women’s RWC 2025

A couple of announcements out of World Rugby this week. The men’s RWC 2027 Final Qualifier tournament will be held in Dubai from November 8-18. This is one of those news items that you hope won’t apply to Canada but it may. The Canada men’s XVs team will have 4 opportunities to qualify for the World Cup before that tournament with a win against one of the following countries this summer/fall USA, Japan, Tonga (likely), Chile (likely). Belgium, who Canada will host this summer, have already qualified for the 4 team RWC Qualifier in Dubai in November.

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Rugby Terms Quiz

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Rugby Term Quiz

Score: 0

Time Left: 120s

In Memory Of… April 2025

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Celebration of Life for Brent Johnston at Windsor Park on May 24th

There will be a celebration of life for Brent Johnston at Windsor Park on May 24th. There will be drinks and food available. They are expecting a decent crowd so they are advising that besides the usual Windsor Park parking, there is extended parking at Oak Bay Marina with a short two block walk to Windsor. There will be donation jars for a fund that Brent held close to his heart. Drinks have been kindly sponsored by a variety of folks, JBAA and Cowichan each contributed kegs.

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High School Rugby Updates – May 2025

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In Touch Newsletter Issue 10 by Phil Smith – Shawnigan and Brentwood Book Spots in Island Finals

This week, Shawnigan held off a persistent Oak Bay in their AAA semi-final, while Brentwood made light work of Mt Douglas in the AA semi. In the junior boys, Oak Bay beat Shawnigan to win the Island Championship.

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MLR Rugby – Round 14

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MLR Week 14: Houston Leads West and New England Leads East – 26 Canadian Players in Action

There were 26 Canadian players participating in Week 14 of MLR, 15 starters and 11 in the reserves. Week 14 was another strange schedule week with the week starting with a Tuesday match and finishing with a Monday match. Old Glory played twice on Tuesday and Sunday. There are 3 weeks left in the regular season schedule and Houston leads the West and New England leads the East. Shane O’Leary scored 15 points in the Miami upset over New England with a try, 2 penalties, and 2 conversions.

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Back in History – May 18 2013

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Canada Women Finish Amsterdam 7s in 2nd Place Defeating USA and England: Team Included Heather Moyse, Mandy Marchak, Kayla Moleschi, Brittany Waters, Karen Paquin, Bianca Farella, Jen Kish, Magali Harvey…

With not much rugby news to write about this Sunday on Victoria Day Weekend, I decided to go back in the time machine in our database and found this gem from May 18th 2013. The women’s 7s team competing at the Amsterdam 7s. Amazingly the video highlights are still up on YouTube so you can watch the Day 1 and 2 highlights in the write-ups for 2013 below. Have a great Victoria Day Weekend in 2025!

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Canada v NZ – Women’s Pacific Four Series 2025

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Canada Draw With NZ 27-27 to Retain #2 Ranking: Full Match Video

Canada drew with NZ 27-27 in an exciting match that saw NZ tie the match at the final whistle. The Canadian Press match report is posted below as well as the full match video courtesy of the NZRugbyVidz2027 account on YouTube. Canada retain their #2 ranking with the draw and the winner of the Pacific Four series could come down to points differential between Canada and NZ with Canada playing Australia and NZ facing USA on Friday.

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Canada U20 Women – May 2025

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Canada Name Women’s U20 Team to Face Ireland in Second Match

Update: Ireland won the second match 32-14. Scoring for Canada were Adia Pye (1T), Rachel Cullum (1T), Brooke Roddham (2C). Ireland had added a number of players for the 2nd match including four 7s players, and a few of the senior Ireland squad.

Coach Dean Murten has made minor changes to the roster for the 2nd match versus Ireland which kicks off at 5:00am PT on May 17th. Canada won the 1st match 26-15.

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