BC Fall to Arrows Academy 32-27: Coast to Coast Cup Title Determined on Saturday Atlantic v Arrows Academy
BC went up 10-0 in the first quarter with two tries by Zephyr Melnyk. Mike Moloney left 7 points on the field with one missed penalty and two missed conversions. BC are playing with a lot of nervous energy, they’re moving the ball ahead but it’s creating a lot of errors. Toronto slot a penalty 10-3. BC kick the ensuing kickoff into touch and Toronto have a scrum at half. Moloney hits a nice 50/22 to give BC some position inside the Toronto 22 but the Arrows steal it back. BC are winning the kicking game and gaining some territory. BC get a driving maul going and Zephyr Melnyk finishes it off for his 3rd try. AJ Kosempel scores a solo try on the outside for the Arrows, 17-10 for BC at the half.
Half time thoughts, Melnyk playing great scoring 3 tries. Matt Klimchuk making a few strong runs. The BC backline not producing much out wide in the 1st half. BC needs to calm down a bit and play some structured rugby, make use of Mike Moloney’s boot to play a territory game. The penalty count is very one sided against BC, and based on the ref they don’t want to be playing much rugby inside their half.
BC have lost their second starter, Jesse Mackail is taken off, BC lost Reid Davis in the first half. AJ Kosempel scores another try and the outside defence of BC is struggling. The momentum has shifted to the Arrows now. Arrows score another, the BC outside backs again struggling to defend both the run and the kick. Arrows starting to win the collisions and the penalties continue to pile up against BC. Arrows up 20-17. Arrows score another one outside, the outside defence is falling apart. Mostyn Findlay has a nice run, one of the few line breaks by BC. It ends up a yellow card to the Arrows. It’s 32-17 for Arrows with 10 minutes left. Mostyn Findlay trying to assert some leadership on the team which has been missing so far, he gets some energy going and Theo Espagnol has a nice jaunt to cross the line, 32-24 for Toronto. Moloney kicks a penalty and it’s 32-27 with a few minutes left. BC storm back but are held up over the line and the game ends.
Overall thoughts, it looked like BC were going to win handily in the first 20, they were winning the collisions but they were also showing a lot of nervous energy which showed up in handling errors and a high penalty count. Moloney was erratic with his kicking, missing early penalties, struggling with some clearance kicks in the second half but he had moments of brilliance dropping a 50/22 to win attacking position. Zephyr Melynk looked good in the first half with 3 tries, he got banged up in the second half and had to come off for a while on a blood sub. The outside defence of BC let them down and it’s where the Arrows scored their tries. Mostyn Findlay showed some leadership and led the comeback with 10 minutes left.
It’s 0-2 for BC on their trip east a big change from the Canada West team that dominated last year.
*BC Bears v Toronto Arrows Academy at 3pm PT: Live Streamed on TheRugbyNetwork.com – Rosters Announced*
The Bears take on the Toronto Arrows Academy today at 3pm PT, the match will be streamed on therugbynetwork.com.
The Bears took a bit of a hammering in their first match against an Atlantic Selects side led by a dominant scrum and a talented Irish scrum-half.
The Bears coaching staff have made a few adjustments in the tight five. Theo Espagnol gets the start at tighthead and Josh Halladay starts at second row. The loose forwards get shuffled a bit with Jalan Farris out of contention, he left early in the first match versus Atlantic Selects and is not listed in the roster today. Matt Klimchuk moves to openside, Zephyr Melnyk to #8 and Asfand Saeed takes on the blindside role. Paddy Kirwan gets the start at scrum half and Rhys James starts on the wing.
1 Lalit Bharadwaj – Burnaby Lake RFC
2 Jesse Mackail – UBCOB Ravens
3 Theo Espagnol – Meraloma RFC
4 Josh Halladay – TWU Spartans
5 Reid Davis – Pacific Pride
6 Asfand Saeed – James Bay AA
7 Matt Klimchuk – Pacific Pride
8 Zephyr Melnyk – Pacific Pride
9 Paddy Kirwan – Meraloma RFC
10 James Biss – UBC Thunderbirds
11 Demetri Patterson – UBC Thunderbirds
12 Monty Weatherall – Meraloma RFC
13 Johnny Franklin – Capilano RFC
14 Rhys James – Kelowna Crows RFC
15 Michael Moloney – Capilano RFC
16 Cass Kocevar – Kelowna Crows RFC
17 Beaudry Leman – UBC Thunderbirds
18 Nicolas Willey – Kamloops
19 Mike Finnemore – Castaway Wanderers RFC
20 Teigan White – James Bay AA
21 Charlie Kinloch – Kamloops RFC
22 Mostyn Findlay – James Bay AA
23 Fynn Murphy – TWU Spartans
24 Lenny Bonduou – UBC Thunderbirds
25 Sandon Gupta – UBC Thunderbirds
Toronto Arrows
1 Aidan Vachon | University of Guelph / Brantford Harlequins
2. David Scollon | University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders
3. Evan Roy | University of Ottawa / Ottawa Beavers
4. Ben James | Wilfrid Laurier University / Guelph Redcoats
5. James Stockwood | Durham College / Oshawa Vikings
6. Gelel Rezig | Ecole de Technologie Superieur / Town of Mount Royal
7. Max Goodwin (C) | University of Guelph / Guelph Redcoats
8. Tom Artmann | Concordia University / Town of Mount Royal
9. Devon Ollson | Brock University / London St. Georges
10. Tiarnan Neville | Balmy Beach
11. Stan Blazkowski | Concordia University / Town of Mount Royal
12. Steven Commerford | Brock University / Peterborough Pagans
13. Thibault Le Coz | Universite de Montreal / Town of Mount Royal
14. AJ Kosempel | Wilfrid Laurier University / Guelph Redcoats
15. Thibault Trape | Club de Rugby de Quebec
16. Neil Trainor | Queens University / Stratford Blackswans
17. Gregory McDowell | Bishops University / Beaconsfield
18. Sam Mace | University of Ottawa / Bytown Blues
19. Zach Zorbas | Brock University / Oakville Crusaders
20. Grant Meadows | Brock University / Aurora Barbarians
22. Adam Doyle | Queens University / Kingston Panthers
23. Jacob Ince | University of Guelph / Oakville Crusaders
24. Alexandre Laurendeau | McGill University / Beaconsfield
25. Ethan Voskamp | Wilfrid Laurier University / Kingston Panthers
*Atlantic Selects Pummel BC Bears 38-14 in Fog Bowl*
The Atlantic Selects dominated in foggy conditions behind a dominant scrum and a talented Irish scrum half.
There’s one particular player who stood out in the match and it was the Atlantic scrum half, Elliott Ryan. Ryan is Irish and he lists himself as a “Professional Rugby Player at SL Benfica” in Spain. He played Leinster Academy U17 – U19 and played at Trinity College in Dublin. The Atlantic scrum was dominant throughout, even when the subs came in.
For BC there wasn’t a lot to boast about, Zephyr Melnyk was probably the best player for BC. The UBC football/rugby player Demetri Patterson had a nice try and showed some initiative but they didn’t get him the ball nearly enough in open space. The scrum was pounded all match, there were few breakdown jackals, with Johnny Franklin getting one late in the match. It wasn’t a performance that BC will be proud of.
There’s not a lot to say about the BC performance while staying positive. We’ll see if they up their game on Wednesday when they play the Arrows Academy.
Match Notes
12-0 for Atlantic Selects 20 minutes into the match in very foggy condition. The Atlantic scrum half Elliott Ryan is the star of the game at this point.
BC answer back on a broken play and Demetri Patterson kicked it through to score. Atlantic add another and Zephyr Melnyk does a tap and go to bring the half time score to 17-14 for Atlantic.
Half time thoughts, the Atlantic scrum clearly has the advantage, tighthead Marc Ouellet had a good run or two as well. Elliott Ryan the Atlantic scrum half probably the biggest difference in the match. BC missing Alex Ball who was injured in the Blue v Gold match. Zephyr Melnyk probably the best BC player at this point, would like to see Demetri Patterson in space in the second half.
BC replaced their scrum half at half time and #21 came in, listed as Mike Finnemore but that’s not Mike, will have to check later on the player name. Mostyn Findlay is in at #12 wearing #9, it’s a gong show out there for numbers.
BC get a yellow card as their front row is being bent like a pretzel, Atlantic just run a scrum over from 5 metres out, the BC scrum is awful, 24-14 for Atlantic.
Mike Moloney hits the upright on a penalty right in front of the posts, he’s not having a great game. Moloney misses another one in front of the posts, unbelievable.
Elliott Ryan sets up the next Atlantic try and finished off by Keith Graham, a nice chip kick to the wing by the scrum half after the BC scrum is destroyed, 31-14 for Atlantic.
Johnny Franklin gets a steal, I think it’s the first one for BC. Their work at the breakdown has been substandard.
75 minutes gone and BC try a long throw near their goal line, it’s overthrown, and Atlantic catch and fall over the goal line, 38-14 for Atlantic. That’s the final.
*BC Bears v Atlantic Selects Match: Rosters and Live Stream Link*
The Coast to Coast Cup kicks off Saturday with the BC Bears v Atlantic Selects, game is at 2:15pm PT on therugbynetwork.com
It’s difficult to predict how the match will go with a number of new faces from a BCRN perspective. There are a couple of players from the Kamloops Div 1 side in the Bears roster that we’re not familiar with, the tighthead Willey and scrum half Kinloch, it will be interesting to watch them in action. The Bears loose forwards look a strong unit with Klimchuk, Melnyk and Faris. They’ve moved James Biss to flyhalf and Monty Weatherall to inside centre, so two good distributors of the ball at first and second receiver. There’s two exciting young players on the outside, both UBC players who we didn’t see in Premier this season. Veteran Mike Moloney controls things at the back. It will be interesting to see what the coaches have done with this diverse group of talent.
The Atlantic Selects have some familiar faces, Marc Ouellet who played with the Pride before joining the Arrows. They have him at tighthead although I always thought he would make an excellent #8. Ben Newhook from UVic and Karl Hunger from the Pride are the second row. The blindside Seif Sanad also from the Pride. Sam Miller in the reserves a familiar name from the Pride in the front row.
It should be a competitive and entertaining match and we’ll see which players standout to viewers and selectors.
BC Bears
1 Lalit Bharadwaj – Burnaby Lake RFC
2 Jesse Mackail – UBCOB Ravens
3 Nicolas Willey – Kamloops RFC
4 Teigan White – James Bay AA
5 Reid Davis – Pacific Pride
6 Matt Klimchuk – Pacific Pride
7 Zephyr Melnyk – Pacific Pride
8 Jalan Faris – Meraloma RFC
9 Charlie Kinloch – Kamloops RFC
10 James Biss – UBC Thunderbirds
11 Demetri Patterson – UBC Thunderbirds
12 Monty Weatherall – Meraloma RFC
13 Johnny Franklin – Capilano RFC
14 Lenny Bonduou – UBC Thunderbirds
15 Michael Moloney – Capilano RFC
16 Cass Kocevar – Kelowna Crows RFC
17 Theo Espagnol – Meraloma RFC
18 Beaudry Leman – UBC Thunderbirds
19 Josh Halladay – TWU Spartans
20 Asfand Saeed – James Bay AA
21 Mike Finnemore – Castaway Wanderers RFC
22 Sandon Gupta – UBC Thunderbirds
23 Paddy Kirwan – Meraloma RFC
24 Fynn Murphy – TWU Spartans
25 Rhys James – Kelowna Crows RFC
26 Mostyn Findlay – James Bay AA
Atlantic Selects
1 Alex Forrest
2 Ethan McCarthy
3 Marc Ouellet
4 Ben Newhook
5 Karl Hunger
6 Seif Sanad
7 Evan Logan
8 Austin Comeau
9 Elliot Ryan
10 Lucas Shortall
11 Keith Graham
12 Adam Anshan
13 Thomas Goetz
14 Jimmy Clarke
15 Jamis Hodgkins
16 Sean Doyle
17 Eddie Mahar
18 Sam Miller
19 Nigel Bannister
20 Andrew Montgrand
21 Nick Davidson
22 Jordy Auger
23 Cameron Pope
24 Johnny Cullen
25 Brady White
26 Jack McCarthy
*BC Bears Name 26 Players for Halifax Trip and Coast to Coast Cup*
It’s that time of year again, the return of the Coast to Coast cup which has become the unofficial post pandemic, Canadian championship.
Last year Canada West won and it’s interesting to look at last year’s roster to see who is missing. Grady Bowd, #10 is now playing MLR. Jacob Bossi, Izzak Kelly and Callum Botchar are in Taranaki, NZ playing Premier rugby. Kyle Steeves is playing MLR, Cody Nhanala is in Western Australia playing Premier rugby. Gabe Casey is in Canterbury, NZ playing Premier rugby. Max Stewart is now playing with the national 7s team. Dawson Fatoric is playing MLR.
Who is returning from last year, Jesse Mackail the Ravens hooker is captain; Mike Moloney from Capilano is fullback; Reid Davis, Matt Klimchuk and Zephyr Melynk of the Pride are back; Johnny Frankin of Capilano is back in the centres. Jalan Farris the Meraloma loose forward is back.
There is some youth in the team, the props are new this year, Nicolas Willey from Kamloops, Cass Kocevar from Kelowna, Beaudry Leman from UBC, along with Lalit Bharadwaj who plays for Burnaby in the Premier league. Demetri Patterson, a young football/rugby player from UBC, looked exciting on the wing in the trial match. Monty Weatherall from the Meralomas looks to be running the backline from the #10 position. Originally from the UK, he graduated from McGill this year and was selected as MVP for the rugby team, he has done well at the Lomas since joining them in February. It will be interesting to see how he goes at this level, the national XVs team are always on the look out for young flyhalf candidates. Also a shout out to the Bays Teigan White for making the squad at second row, I played with his dad who I know is a fierce competitor.
It should be entertaining rugby, the dates are June 17th and 21st for the Bears matches. Check the BCRU media release below for more details.
from BCRU
BC Rugby is delighted to announce the BC Bears Senior Mens Squad to compete at the 2023 Coast to Coast Cup in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on June 17-24.
The BC Bears Senior Mens team will return to competition for the first time since the global pandemic at the 2023 Coast to Coast Cup, where they will face tough opposition from Atlantic Selects Rugby and the Toronto Arrows RFC Senior Academy.
Head Coach Curry Hitchborn (UBC Thunderbirds) and Assistant Coaches Christian Esterhuizan (Meraloma RFC), Jake Ilnicki (Williams Lake Rustlers) and Rob Bowman (Capilano RFC), alongside Phil Mack (Pacific Pride), have named the 26-man travelling squad for Nova Scotia. The squad was finalized following months of talent identification and last weeks Senior Mens Blue vs. Gold Trial Match in Abbotsford.
Captaining the squad is Jesse Mackail (UBCOB Ravens).
Head Coach Curry Hitchborn said: We had loads of interest from some out of the way places and we uncovered some real gems. We are running a young side with a few old heads to help steady the ship while passing on their knowledge. I want to personally thank all the Clubs and high schools who spent years developing these men into who they are today. The Coast to Coast Cup is a worthy challenge for them.
The BC Bears Senior Mens XVs team proudly wears playing kit manufactured and supplied by X-Treme Sports Gear, the official kit supplier to BC Rugby, for the 2023 season. The kit features the logo of primary program sponsor ONNI on the right chest.
BC Bears Senior Men’s Squad – 2023 Coast to Coast Cup
The BC Bears Mens Squad travelling to Halifax:
1 Lalit Bharadwaj – Burnaby Lake RFC
2 Jesse Mackail – UBCOB Ravens
3 Nicolas Willey – Kamloops RFC
4 Reid Davis – Pacific Pride
5 Teigan White – James Bay AA
6 Mike Finnemore – Castaway Wanderers RFC
7 Matt Klimchuk – Pacific Pride
8 Jalan Faris – Meraloma RFC
9 Charlie Kinloch – Kamloops RFC
10 Monty Weatherall – Meraloma RFC
11 Demetri Patterson – UBC Thunderbirds
12 Johnny Franklin – Capilano RFC
13 Lenny Bonduou – UBC Thunderbirds
14 Fynn Murphy – TWU Spartans
15 Michael Moloney – Capilano RFC
16 Cass Kocevar – Kelowna Crows RFC
17 Theo Espagnol – Meraloma RFC
18 Beaudry Leman – UBC Thunderbirds
19 Asfand Saeed – James Bay AA
20 Josh Halladay – TWU Spartans
21 Zephyr Melnyk – Pacific Pride
22 Sandon Gupta – UBC Thunderbirds
23 Paddy Kirwan – Meraloma RFC
24 James Biss – UBC Thunderbirds
25 Rhys James – Kelowna Crows RFC
26 Mostyn Findlay – James Bay AA
2023 Coast to Coast Cup Schedule
The BC Bears will face the Atlantic Selects on June 17 before taking on the Toronto Arrows Senior Academy on June 21. The full schedule details can be found below:
June 17: Atlantic Selects vs. BC Bears 6:15pm AST/2:15pm PST (Graves-Oakley Park)
June 21: BC Bears vs. Toronto Arrows Senior Academy 7:00pm AST/3:00pm PST (Wanderer Grounds)
June 24: Atlantic Selects vs. Toronto Arrows Senior Academy – 7:00pm AST/3:00pm PST (Wanderer Grounds)
Tournament passes and tickets for all games are available here. Livestream details are being confirmed by tournament organisers.
Send a Kid to the 2023 Coast to Coast Cup
In lieu of buying tickets, here is how BC residents can help hundreds of local youth receive free tournament passes for the 2023 Coast to Coast Cup.
The Send a Kid to the Cup Program allows the Rugby community to sponsor youth tournament passes at $15/pass for the 2023 Coast to Coast Cup. The youth passes are then distributed to local youth, including junior and high school Rugby players, who can attend all three matches for free.
Help the next generation of Rugby players dont forget to tick who you support when you are grabbing kids tickets!
Passes can be sponsored through this link.
How to Claim Tickets:
Sign up for local youth to claim their free tournament passes is live! Those interested in signing up for these passes can do so through this link. There is a limit of 1 ticket per person, so make sure you sign up for your ticket now! Tickets will be distributed to the emails provided in the form.
For any questions or concerns please email dylanaleck@gmail.com