BC Premier Week 18 Results: Lomas Fall to Burnaby, Westshore Dominate Caps, UBC Upset by Bays, UVic Cruise Past CW – Women’s Premier Westshore Humbled by Thunderbirds, Lomas Lose to Burnaby
It’s the last regular season weekend, there’s one make-up weekend before the playoffs with UVic hosting Ravens on April 18th. The playoffs start April 25th. The results this weekend created two ties in the standings and the tie-breaking rules had to be consulted, head to head results comes first. That puts UVic in the playoffs and Burnaby out, it also gives UBC 2nd place and Westshore 3rd. In women’s Premier UBC dominated and finish in 3rd, Westshore drop to 4th and Burnaby claim 2nd, Lomas remain #1.
Burnaby Lake 34 v Meraloma 28 @ 14:30
Referee: Shanda Assmus AR1: Jack Webster AR2: Rupert Whiting
Venue: Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
We had the prediction at +10 so it was closer than expected. A bonus point win for Burnaby but UVic also claimed a bonus point win so the teams are tied at 47 points. The tie-breaking rules (posted below) states the first rule is “The aggregate score of the Matches Played between the two Teams”. Burnaby won the first match +9, UVic won the second match +11, so UVic claim 6th and the final playoff spot. If this is verified by the league then I wonder if the UVic v Ravens game will go ahead next week. UVic could possibly defeat Ravens and overtake Capilano in the standings but they would still travel across town (Westshore or JBAA) for a quarter-final, they might prefer the week of recuperation before the playoffs. The Ravens have clinched first place and would save themselves a trip to the Island. We’ll wait and see what happens on that.
UVic 47 – Burnaby 36 March 28th (+11)
Burnaby 38 – UVic 29 November 1st (+9)
BC Rules of Competition
Two-Way Ties in Senior Competitions – in the case of two Teams tied at the end of regular season or all pool Matches, the final standings of the two Teams shall be determined by considering in order of the factors below:
i. The aggregate score of the Matches Played between the two Teams;
ii. The most wins in the league or pool;
iii. The Points Differential in the league or pool Play;
iv. The toss of a coin by the Chair of the Committee or Tournament Director.
PREGAME
#7 hosting #8. A must bonus point win for Burnaby in their last match. They’ll be hoping the Vikes don’t do the same in their match.
Burnaby missing Bryce Worden at his usual tighthead position. They’re bolstered by the return of Guiseppe du Toit, along with the Fijian 9/10 combination, they have a lot of firepower out wide. Iowane Raturici missing this week so Matt Willemse takes the fullback role. Willemse was the star player for TWU when they defeated top ten ranked University of Arizona last month, scoring 17 points from the boot.
Lomas finish off their season knowing they’re out of the playoffs. They have Elliot Ogbemudia back at #6, Andrew Readman comes off the bench to claim openside flanker and Sam Lyon moves from second row to #8. It might be a long day for the loose forwards chasing a dynamic Burnaby backline.
Burnaby with the motivation for a bonus point win, at home, should achieve their objectives. Prediction: Burnaby by +10.
Burnaby (March 28th/current)
1 Iain Kennel Webb
2 James Kelly
3 Bryce Worden / Grayson Hardie
4 Andrew McIntyre / Cooper Johnston
5 Dreydon Martin
6 Jonah Fridffinson
7 Jarod Byrnes / Rylin McKenzie
8 Taitusi Vikilani / Clinton Odhiambo
9 Wayne Ngubane
10 Napolioni Bolaca
11 Jack Brady / Stu Jamison
12 David Dinbandhu / Guiseppe du Toit
13 Suliano Volivoli
14 Stu Jamison / Anthony Carrol
15 Iowane Raturici / Matt Willemse
16 Rylin McKenzie / Seth Klassen
17 Grayson Hardie / Ian Michael
18 Dylan Vermette / Ben Graci
19 Cooper Johnston / Jeke Gotegote
20 Clinton Odhiambo / Jentezen Peterson
21 Anthony Carrol / Woods Sharman
22 Jeke Gotegote / Luke Toroca
23 Jentezen Peterson / TBD
Meraloma (March 21st/current)
1 Tom Webb
2 Luca Aukuso
3 Jordan Quinn
4 Sam Lyon / Craig Trimble
5 Craig Trimble / Rhys Tucker
6 Corne Ludick / Elliot Ogbemudia
7 Alex Tagg / Andrew Readman
8 Marcus Ale / Sam Lyon
9 Tyus Dimbleby
10 Anzac Tipene
11 Keith Graham
12 Malachi Te Rore-King / Nathan Booker
13 Joe Wilde
14 Nathan Booker / Ben Shaw
15 Nathan Gallant / Malachi Te Rore-King
16 Steve Tien / TBD
17 Rhys Tucker / Steven Tien
18 Andrew Readman / Ryker Bisset
19 Kurtis Liu
20 Mitchell Stokes / Carlos Thompson
21 Carlos Thompson / Mitchell Stokes
22 TBD
23 TBD
Capilano 10 v Westshore 50 @ 14:30
Referee: Saro Turner AR1: Tyler DAWSON AR2: JT ZHANG
Venue: Klahanie Park
A massive win on the road by Westshore and that looks like it will cost the Caps a home field in the quarter-finals. They didn’t even get a bonus point in the loss. Westshore with the bonus point win took a shot at 2nd place but UBC getting a losing bonus point put that to rest, the teams are tied at 64 points and UBC win the head to head point differential, winning the October match 45-0 and losing the December match (as a default) 20-0. It looks like Westshore will host UVic in the quarter-finals, still pending on the Ravens v UVic make-up match next weekend, if that goes ahead.
PREGAME
#4 hosting #3. Capilano can’t catch Westshore for 3rd but they’ll want to stay ahead of the Bays in the battle for 4th so they get a home quarter-final. Westshore in theory could overtake UBC for 2nd if UBC lose to the Bays this weekend.
Westshore have a couple of 7s players returning Elias Hancock and Kyle Tremblay, Thomas Isherwood is still sidelined with an injury. Mark Balaski return at #10 and Rhys James at #15, two national level players.
Capilano have Ryan Hickey back in the roster at second row. They’ve put their #9 Toby Horn to #10 and brought winger Will Dormaar to scrum half. Seamus O’Sullivan returns from the Canada U20 camp.
An important match for both teams, on a good track Westshore should have the edge out wide, Caps have home field advantage and a strong forward pack. Prediction: Westshore by +3.
Westshore (March 28th/current)
1 Emerson Prior
2 Matt Evans
3 Kane Perrett
4 Joe Kingham
5 Toby Higgins / Daragh Carroll
6 Brian Ndirangu
7 Thomas Heuser
8 Admir Cejvanovic / Elias Hancock
9 Grayson Perry
10 Mark Balaski
11 Nelson Oyoo / Jeff Oluoch
12 Jeff Oluoch / Kyle Tremblay
13 Payton Gibson
14 Alex Mentiply / Nelson Oyoo
15 Rhys James
16 Daragh Carroll / Ryan Surgenor
17 Ryan Surgenor / Charles Taimani
18 Charles Taimani / Taine Clague (P)
19 Taine Clague (P) / Alvin Otieno
20 Alvin Otieno / Mitch Buie
21 Mitch Buie / Josh Nordstrom
22 Drew Belbin / Darian Morrison
23 Johnstone Olindi / TBD
Capilano (March 28th/current)
1 Pat Zuk
2 Jacob Bossi
3 Caleb Hickey
4 Riley Canning / Ryan Hickey
5 Andrew Crane
6 Flynn Heyes / Reid Brookes
7 Hamish McDonald
8 Teancum Tuiali
9 Toby Horn / Will Dormaar
10 Wade Jansen / Toby Horn
11 Will Dormaar / Austin James
12 Austin James / Ryan Leskiw
13 Ben Welsh
14 Jose Santiago / Seamus O’Sullivan
15 Caleb Kingi
16 Angus Walker / Nate Bolton
17 Josh Leeks / Blair Twaddell
18 Blair Twaddell / Riley Canning
19 Arthur Greene / Collin Mitchell
20 Reid Brookes / Flynn Heyes
21 Ryan Leskiw / Jose Santiago
22 Bruce Jones / Chris Robinson
23 Chris Robinson / Sam Franklin
James Bay AA 17 v UBC RFC 12 @ 14:30
Referee: Cole Pedrick AR1: Andrew Owen AR2: Kenneth Yee
Venue: James Bay AA- MacDonald Park
The big upset of the weekend gives the Bays a home field quarter-final, it looks like the Caps will be visiting. A massive defensive effort to keep the T-Birds with only 12 points. The birds do claim an important losing bonus point which they need to hold on to 2nd place and a quarter-final bye and home semi-final. Scoring for the Bays were Mostyn Findlay, Henry Kirwan, and D’Shawn Bowen.
PREGAME
#5 hosting #2. The Bays need a win and a Capilano loss to get home field for the quarter-finals. UBC need a win to stay ahead of Westshore and claim a bye in the quarter-finals and a home semi-final.
UBC aren’t fooling around and have brought over their top roster, Stephen Webb and Liam James return to the halfback positions and Cody Nhanala returns to #8. Talon McMullin makes his return and he’ll be an impact player off the bench.
The Bays missing their national team players, only D’Shawn Bowen remains. Mike Nieuhuysen moves back to his regular centre position and second row Alex Jordan takes the #8 role. Austin Hutchcroft moves from second row to blindside flanker as Harrison Archdekin returns to the second row spot.
UBC have too much firepower over 80 minutes, even though the Bays have home field advantage, it will be an uphill battle to claim the W. Prediction: UBC by +8.
James Bay (March 28th/current)
1) Scott Warner
2) Neil Trainor
3) Wyatt Pilz
4) Austin Hutchcroft / Mason MacDonald (P)
5) Alex Jordan / Harrison Archdekin
6) Jack Part (P) / Austin Hutchcroft
7) Brendyn Beck
8) Mike Nieuhuysen / Alex Jordan
9) Tom Burton
10) Isaac Gonevou
11) Mostyn Findlay / D’Shawn Bowen
12) Joeli Gonevou / Mike Nieuhuysen
13) Henry Kirwan
14) Jeremiah Gonevou / Mostyn Findlay
15) Ty Driscoll
16) Nehemiah O’Neil
17) Riley Lloyd
18) Eric Rutledge (P)
19) Mason MacDonald (P) / Jack Part (P)
20) Carter Haddow
21) Walter Somers
22) Mark Yuen / Joeli Gonevou
23) Henry Clark
UBC (March 28th/current)
1 Ethan Samuels / Jacob Blackwood
2 Ethan McCarthy
3 Charlie Clark
4 Relmu Wilson-Valdes
5 Joe McNulty
6 Liam Kinghorn
7 Callum Arnesen
8 Max Birtley / Cody Nhanala
9 Ronan Graham / Stephen Webb
10 Ben Martin / Liam James
11 Niko Andrianos
12 Liam Turnbull
13 Alastair Marshall
14 Milo Knights / Max McGavern
15 Ben Beauchamp
16 Kevin Griffiths / Ethan Samuels
17 Jacob Blackwood / Graeme Francolini
18 Graeme Francolini / Kevin Griffiths
19 Cody Nhanala / Aidan Sutherland
20 Ewan Webber-Smith / Max Birtley
21 Stephen Webb / Ronan Graham
22 Liam James / Ben Martin
23 Max McGavern / Talon McMullin
Castaway Wanderers 19 v University Of Victoria 36 @ 14:45
Referee: David Smortchevsky AR1: Martin Thornton AR2: John J De Goede
Venue: Windsor Park
The Vikes led 19-5 at the half and maintained the gap through the 2nd half. The bonus point win gives the Vikes 6th place with a superior head to head record against Burnaby. They have a make-up match scheduled against Ravens next weekend. As it stands now the Vikes would visit Westshore in the quarter-finals.
PREGAME
#10 hosting #6. A must win for the Vikes if they want to hold on to 6th place with Burnaby likely getting a bonus point win at home this weekend. The Vikes with one more match vs #1 Ravens in the final make-up weekend next week.
CW added three more Pride players this weekend for a total of five. They have John Humphries back this weekend in the second row, Gradyn Bowd at #10 and Merlin M’Cloud at openside. It may be one of their strongest rosters this season, too late for them, but they may be able to spoil UVic’s playoff run.
UVic have Adam Doane and Morgan Di Nardo back from the 7s program. Muiredach Casey and Sion Griffiths are back in the roster as impact players from the bench.
The Gradyn Bowd vs Cooper Coats battle at #10 should be epic. It’s the first time we’ve seen Bowd in the roster since December, with the Island facing Ontario next month, he may be looking at claiming the #10 spot for the Island team. CW with the addition of five Pride players, four in the reserves, will have more gas in the tank for the last 20. UVic with their 7s players back will get a boost. CW might have the edge in the tight five and set pieces but UVic should do well out wide. Prediction: UVic by +7.
CW (March 28th/current)
1 Theo Espagnol (P) / Gavin Kratz
2 Antonio Corbin
3 Fred Regan / Theo Espagnol (P)
4 Jaiden John (P) / John Humphries
5 John Humphries / Ayo Ogunlabe
6 Marcello Wainwright
7 Hugh Mager / Merlin M’Cloud
8 Mike Finnemore
9 Chris Gamage
10 Andrew Easson / Gradyn Bowd
11 Jay Welsh
12 Jordan Tait / Andrew Easson
13 Liam Poulton
14 Jacob Isaac / Angus Boyd-Porter
15 Zech Pilgrim
16 Zach Hahn / Zak Zeray
17 Nate Smith / Zach Hahn
18 Mateo Quinonez / Jaiden John (P)
19 Ty Featherstone / Nat Dring
20 Liam Paul / Hugh Mager
21 TBD / Max Macleod (P)
22 TBD / Glenn Roy (P)
23 TBD / Jean Louis-Desgouttes (P)
UVic (March 28th/current)
1 Brendan Christian / Jack Marshall
2 Jack Marshall / Sully Curran
3 Brendan Kim
4 Ronin Smith
5 Alex Gordon
6 Robert Reid / Adam Doane
7 Jaxson Jones
8 Rider Heaney -Corns
9 Keegan Neary
10 Cooper Coats
11 Alex Gamage / Morgan Di Nardo
12 Dylan Cleaver
13 Lockhart MacGregor
14 David Richard / Jack Penaluna
15 Michael Oughtred / David Richard
16 Sully Curran / Robert Reid
17 Kale Jones
18 Carter Ebrahim / David Michell
19 Seb Isherwood / Muiredach Casey
20 Aiden de Wit / Carter Ebrahim
21 Reece Thompson / Sion Griffiths
22 Gareth Sandner
23 Jack Penaluna / Jasper Keast
Women’s Premier
Burnaby Lake 27 v Meraloma 12 @ 12:45
Referee: Jack Webster AR1: John Hight AR2: Rupert Whiting
Venue: Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
A big upset by Burnaby at home, that result puts them in 2nd place, overtaking Westshore, while the Lomas maintain 1st place. Burnaby have the unenviable task of hosting the Thunderbirds in the semi-finals.
PREGAME
#1 hosting #3. Burnaby can’t catch the Lomas for #1 spot but they can overtake Westshore for #2 with a win and a Westshore loss. Lomas need the win to stay #1 if Westshore win their match. The permutations for 1 to 5 are all up in the air this weekend depending on results. The #4 v #5 match will be the quarter-finals and then it goes into the semi-finals.
Meraloma have a few TBD in their roster which doesn’t look good. They have a few rotations from the bench with Gracie Donaldson getting the start at loosehead prop. Bea Collier-Pandya moves from scrum-half to blindside flanker, a move you don’t often see. Cassidy Gale moves from outside centre to scrum-half.
Burnaby have their Fijian connection back, Miriama Naiobasali has been impressive at #10 when she’s in the lineup, that was back in January. She’s listed on the bench but expect her to make an impact when she comes on. Also returning are Grace Tuivatukalo and Laisana Likuceva. TWU 7s flyer Ava Van Santen starts at fullback.
The Lomas won the first matchup by +5 but this Burnaby roster looks strong. I’d say it’s a toss up but go with Lomas consistency this season. Prediction: Lomas by +3.
Meraloma (March 21st/current)
1 Hailey Jeffries / Gracie Donaldson
2 Tanya Bennett / Hailey Jeffries
3 Stacey Warner
4 Nat MacMillan
5 Deanna Cvitanovich
6 Caleigh McMillan / Bea Collier-Pandya
7 Jessica Nelson / Caleigh McMillan
8 Helen McGhee
9 Bea Collier-Pandya / Cassidy Gale
10 Sara Hernandez
11 Mikela Scharlach
12 Flora Poole
13 Cassidy Gale / Demi Quickfall
14 Demi Quickfall / Carah Hager
15 Emma Lowe
16 Solana Pasqual / TBD
17 Gracie Donaldson / Solana Pasqual
18 Lindsey Hood / Tanya Bennett
19 Gemma McCutcheon / TBD
20 Robyn Feraday / Lucy Gethin-Jones
21 Lucy Gethin-Jones / TBD
22 Carah Hager / Robyn Feraday
23 Chloe Woolsey / Ella Porter
Burnaby (Feb 28th/current)
1. Lauren Tagg / Simone Savary
2. Teresa Thomson / Lauren Tagg
3. Staci Chassomeris / Tess Woldring
4. Tess Woldring / Emily Van Gulik
5. Nicole Stephenson
6. Jailee Mercedes / James Sheldon-House
7. Madison Brooke
8. Payton McNeill
9. Faith Nishi / Natasha Lalonde
10. Michelle Veerman
11. Olivia Vangel
12. Hannah Hibbs / Laisana Likuceva
13. Kaila France / Hannah Hibbs
14. Mia Chan / Jaidyn Mawhinney
15. Jaidyn Mawhinney / Ava Van Santen
16. J Curinao / Simran Gillar
17. Emily Van Gulik / C Rodgers
18. R Wood
19. N Elwood / Kaila France
20. A Van Santen / Mia Chan
21. TBD / Tatiana Rowe
22. TBD / Miriama Naiobasali
23. TBD / Grace Tuivatukalo
Vancouver Thunderbirds 62 v Westshore 10 @ 12:45
Referee: Justyn Roberts AR1: John Bay AR2: Mike Johnson
Venue: UBC- Gerald McGavin Centre
The emphatic win by the Thunderbirds shows why they’re favourites to defend their Premier title again. The bonus point win puts them in 3rd place as they overtake Westshore. Westshore drop from 2nd to 4th. They’re tied with the Thunderbirds on points but the T-Birds won both head to head matches. That means that Westshore will have to play in the quarter-finals, the 4th v 5th match, where they will host CW. The winner to visit Meraloma in the semis.
PREGAME
#2 hosting #4. A Thunderbirds win and Burnaby loss could see them go up to a 2nd place tie with Westshore depending on bonus points. A Westshore win and Lomas loss could see them go up to 1st place. Lots of permutations on the final weekend of regular season.
The Thunderbirds are defending champions and are slowly getting their full roster back after the CanWest 7s and the Canada U21 tour. The Canada U21 players returning this week include Anya Prokopich and Tia Jordo.
Westshore missing their tighthead prop, Sierra Gillis, who will be getting her first Canada cap on Saturday vs Australia. Veteran Chelsey Minter fills in at tighthead. Emily Findlay returns to the roster at #8. There’s 3 TBD on the travelling roster, never a good sign.
The Thunderbirds still remain the team to beat even though they sit in 4th place. Prediction: Thunderbirds by +6.
Thunderbirds (March 28th/current)
1 Maya Nowotny / Alli Dobson
2 Abi Stanley / Katie Stoddart
3 Tegan Jost / Angel Boswell
4 Makenna Kamiya / Anya Propkopich
5 Teya Ashworth
6 Ruby Kaltiainen / Ella Kirk
7 Anna Plate / Kimberly Sinow
8 Kimberly Sinow / Jesse Knaggs
9 Ella Hudon / Lanae Davenport
10 Sarah MacPherson
11 Emily Wang
12 Belle Rousseau
13 Olivia Sarabura
14 Lanae Davenport / Chloe Bong
15 Catrin Taylor
16 Katie Stoddart / Adinah Sheppard
17 Alli Dobson / Maya Nowotny
18 Angel Boswell / Tegan Jost
19 Jesse Knaggs / Ruby Kaltiainen
20 Zosia Cisak / Sarah Fong
21 Saylor Pickrell / Ella Hudon
22 Joelle Kuyak / Vela Bavarian
23 TBD / Tia Jordo
Westshore (Feb 28th/current)
1 Soleil Brooks / Madeleine Lemay
2 Courtney Sims / Brittany Sims
3 Sierra Gillis / Chelsey Minter
4 Sioa Bloomfield
5 Shayla Stigant / Ivy Jacques
6 Hailey Sampson
7 Brooke Horsfall
8 Celia Probe / Emily Findlay
9 Abby Hall / Emilie Sinclair
10 Emery Britton
11 Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt / Emerald Maze
12 Emilie Brett
13 Kyla Warren / Abby Hall
14 Emilie Sinclair / Jillian Fulton
15 Vanessa Chiapetta
16 Kendra Cousineau / Courtney Sims
17 Madeleine Lemay / Sasha McGee
18 Sasha McGee / Megan Wolfe
19 Aila Norlin / Zoe Williams
20 Piper Walsh / Jimena Alvarez Rodriguez
21 Miranda Grant / TBD
22 Maya Addai / TBD
23 Emerald Maze / TBD