BC Premier Week 9 Predictions & Rosters: Lomas @ UBC, Bays @ Vikes, Westshore @ Burnaby, CW @ Caps – Women’s Premier Lomas @ Thunderbirds, Westshore @ Burnaby
Week 9 in the BC Premier sees some Friday night matches, we’ve got both the Friday and Saturday predictions and rosters in now. The BCRU and universities have put some effort into promoting these matches so hopefully they’ll see some positive results in attendance. The BCRU write-ups are included below as well.
Mens Premier – Friday Night
UBC v Meraloma @ 20:30
Referee: Kristine Lovatt AR1: Shanda Assmus AR2: Phil Webster
Venue: UBC Thunderbird Stadium
The #1 ranked UBC team had some disappointment at the university championships coming 3rd behind Guelph and ETS. Back at home they’ll be eager to get back on the winning track. The Lomas have been up and down over the season, they had a strong win against the Bays, then the following week fell to the winless CW side. They currently sit in 7th place.
The Lomas put out a similar roster to last week with a few rotations from the bench, Rhys Tucker, Corne Ludick, Eoin Long getting the start.
UBC don’t have their roster posted as of 3pm on Thursday, we’ll update the article when the roster is available. A couple of key players will be the McMullin brothers, we haven’t seen both in the roster yet this season. Takoda was with the national team in Europe but didn’t get any playing time. Cody Nhanala is another key player in their roster. [update UBC roster added]
Even though we don’t have the UBC roster, we’re comfortable predicting a home team win, UBC are undefeated in the Premier, they’ll be wanting to bounce back from the university championships, at home in front of a supportive crowd on a Friday night. Prediction: UBC by +8.
Meraloma (Nov 22/current)
1 Joyner Gaualofa
2 Mark Rickard
3 Luca Aukuso / Rhys Tucker
4 Ed Matthews
5 Conor O’Brien
6 Elliot Ogbemudia / Corne Ludick
7 Sam Lyon
8 Jalan Farris
9 Luc Thompson
10 Charlie Greaves
11 Keith Graham
12 Kenny Saito
13 Malachi King
14 Ben Pope / Eoin Long
15 Ted O’Leary / Ben Pope
16 Corne Ludick / Andy McMeel
17 Andy McMeel / Luca Aukuso
18 Rhys Tucker / Craig Trimble
19 Craig Trimble / Jordan Quinn
20 Jack Bonisch / Marcus Ale
21 Kurtis Liu
22 Eoin Long / Tyus Dimbleby
23 TBD
UBC (Nov 1/current)
1 James Mahaffy / Jacob Blackwood
2 Emmett Allan
3 Jacob Blackwood / Graeme Francolini
4 Sandon Gupta / Relmu Wilson-Valdes
5 Charlie Clark / Joe McNulty
6 Elijah McQueen / Liam Kinghorn
7 Max Birtley / Aidan Sutherland
8 Josh du Toit / Cody Nhanala
9 Elijah Palov / Stephen Webb
10 James Biss
11 Demetri Patterson / Niko Andrianos
12 Niko Andrianos / Liam Turnbull
13 Alastair Marshall / Liam James
14 Zac Zapanta / Alastair Marshall
15 Ben Beauchamp / Takoda McMullin
16 Ethan McCarthy / Elijah McQueen
17 Ethan Samuels / Ethan McCarthy
18 Graeme Francolini / James Mahaffy
19 Victor Wozniak / Sandon Gupta
20 Aiden Sutherland / Max Birtley
21 Ben Martin / Caleb Seumanutafa
22 Liam Turnbull / Demetri Patterson
23 Will Barrett / Max McGavern
University Of Victoria v James Bay AA @ 19:00
Referee: Derek Horton AR1: Al Humphries AR2: David Hale
Venue: Centennial Stadium
It’s difficult to get rosters on Thursday afternoon for a Friday night match but kudos to UVic and JBAA for getting the job done. If there’s a live stream we’ll post that link when we find it.
UVic currently in 8th place and the Bays in 6th place. The Vikes missing some of their marquee players to the national men’s tour to Europe placed a disappointing 4th in the university championships. They don’t have Cooper Coats back but they do have Morgan di Nardo and Josh McIndoe back in the roster. Also Adam Doane who excelled in the university championships and was selected for the Canada 7s team at the RAN 7s is back in the roster. It’s looking a fairly strong roster despite missing their two 10s, Cooper Coats and Michael Oughtred.
The Bays coming off a heavy defeat to the Lomas in their last match. They have Wyatt Pilz back at tighthead prop and Alex Jordan at #8. Crosby Stewart returns at #9 and Mostyn Findlay in the centres.
It should be a close match, with UVic playing in the big stadium in front of a home crowd it should lift their performance. They have a couple of key players returning. Prediction: Vikes by +3.
UVic (Nov 22/current)
1 Phoenix Moller
2 Sully Curran / Jordy Auger
3 Nic Willey
4 Brendan Kim / Muiredach Casey
5 Alex Gordon / Brendan Kim
6 Aiden de Witt / Adam Doane
7 Jaxson Jones / Merlin M’Cloud
8 Carter Ebrahim / Ryder Heaney-Corns
9 Lachlan Crooks
10 Hunter Hannaford
11 Alex Gamage / Jack Penaluna
12 Sion Griffiths / Josh McIndoe
13 Dylan Cleaver
14 Marcus Lott / Morgan di Nardo
15 Gareth Sandner
16 Jordy Auger / Sully Curran
17 Milo McDonald / Jack Marshall
18 Brendan Christian
19 Josh Petrov / Alex Gordon
20 Ronin Smith / Jaxson Jones
21 Owen Barlow / Carter Ebrahim
22 Jack Penaluna / Alex Gamage
23 Thoran Koyote / Marcus Lott
James Bay (Nov 15/current)
1) Scott Warner
2) Neil Trainor / Nehemiah O’Neil
3) Julian Guald / Wyatt Pilz
4) Harrison Archdekin
5) Max Brewerton
6) Pete Massimo / Jacob Griffin
7) Jacob Griffin / Brendyn Beck
8) Brendyn Beck / Alex Jordan
9) Tom Burton / Crosby Stewart
10) Ty Driscoll
11) Jeremiah Gonevou / Mostyn Findlay
12) Mike Nieuhuysen
13) Isaac Gonevou / James Thiel
14) Malik James / Kainoa Lloyd
15) Craig Mitchell-Hermann / Tom Burton
16) Nehemiah O’Neil / Carter Haddow
17) Toby Ng / Riley Lloyd
18) Dakota Lachance / Julian Guald
19) Austin Hutchcroft
20) James Thiel / Pete Massimo
21) Kainoa Lloyd / Craig Mitchell-Hermann
22) TBD / Isaac Gonevou
23) TBD / Jeremiah Gonevou
Men’s Premier – Saturday
Burnaby Lake v Westshore @ 14:30
Referee: Shanda Assmus AR1: John Cameron AR2: John Hight
Venue: Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
#4 hosting #2. Both teams coming off wins, both teams stacked with talent. Twelve of the players have represented Canada in XVs or 7s, two have represented Fiji at the national level, three have represented Kenya at the national level, plus there are club players from NZ, Australia, South Africa.
Burnaby upset last year’s champions Ravens last weekend, they look to be serious contenders this year with the addition of the Fijian talent in the backline. They have Bryce Worden back at tighthead prop and Ethan Turner back from the national 7s team.
Westshore have their contingent of 7s players returning from the RAN 7s Thomas Isherwood and Elias Hancock. The recent addition of former MLR players Foster Dewitt, Karl Hunger and Kaden Duguid has strengthened their forward pack.
This is a tough one to call but the home field advantage may be the difference. The last trip by Westshore to the mainland didn’t go well for them when they were blanked by UBC. They were missing some key players but the question remains on how well they travel? Prediction: Burnaby by +3.
Burnaby (Nov 22/current)
1 Dylan Vermette / Iain Kennell-Webb
2 Joel Abdel Barr / James Kelly
3 Grayson Hardie / Bryce Worden
4 Leo Chen
5 Sam Tsoi / Cooper Johnston
6 Clinton Odhiambo
7 Jonah Fridfinnson / Sam Tsoi
8 Jarod Byrnes
9 Wayne Ngubane
10 Napolioni Bolaca
11 Lynden Duggan
12 Fynn Murphy
13 Tevita Daugunu / Guiseppe du Toit
14 Iowane Raturaciri
15 Guiseppe du Toit / Matt Willemse
16 Seth Klassen / Joel Abdel Barr
17 Iain Kennell-Webb / Ben Graci
18 Ben Graci / Gerard Bevin
19 Cooper Johnston / Dreyden Martin
20 Dreydon Martin / David Dinbandhu
21 Anthony Carroll / Reid Watkins
22 Reid Watkins / Ethan Turner
23 Jack Brady
Westshore (Nov 22/current)
1 Kane Perrett
2 Foster Dewitt
3 Omar Abu Alnaaj
4 Karl Hunger
5 Kaden Duguid
6 Daragh Carroll / Joe Kingham
7 Brian Ndirangu
8 Joe Kingham / Elias Hancock
9 Payton Gibson
10 Taylor McGuire
11 Drew Belbin / Darian Morrison
12 Jeff Oluoch / Rhys James
13 Rhys James / Thomas Isherwood
14 Alex Mentiply
15 Johnstone Olindi / Mark Balaski
16 Matt Evans
17 Nathan Groenewold
18 Simeon John / Bobby McKay
19 Aidan Holland / Daragh Carroll
20 Seth Recalma / Aidan Holland
21 Zander Payne / Admir Cejvanovic
22 Mark Balaski / Jeff Oluoch
23 Jimmy Wilson Bishop / Nelson Oyoo
Capilano v Castaway Wanderers @ 14:30
Referee: Justine Blatt-Janmaat AR1: Chris Assmus AR2: Michael Landiak (Pending)
Venue: Klahanie Park
#5 hosting #9. CW coming off their first win, defeating the Lomas at home. The Caps coming off a bye week had a 3 game winning streak before losing to Westshore on a road trip.
CW missing Gradyn Bowd at #10 and Andrew Easson moves from inside centre to take the job. Ethan Hager also missing from the backline and Jordan Tait returns to the roster to fill the centre gap. Ayo Ogunlabe returns to the roster at loose forward.
Capilano missing Izzak Kelly who just returned from the Canada tour to Europe where he played in all 3 matches. They do have their Canada 7s players back, Johnny Franklin and Mike Moloney. Logan Weidner is missing from the loose forwards and Cam Tanner takes that spot. Austin James also returns to the roster at wing.
We’re going all in on the home teams this weekend. Prediction: Caps by +7.
CW (Nov 22/current)
1 Fred Regan
2 Alex McCallum
3 Gavin Kratz
4 John Humphries
5 Nat Dring
6 Gord Kehoe / Ayo Ogunlabe
7 Dafydd Thomas / Gord Kehoe
8 Mike Finnemore
9 Chris Gamage
10 Gradyn Bowd / Andrew Easson
11 Shane Rikley-Krindle / Ciaran Woods
12 Andrew Easson / Jordan Tait
13 Ethan Hager / Shane Rikley-Krindle
14 AJ Kosempel
15 Zech Pilgrim
16 Michael Crawford
17 Zach Hahn
18 Julian Ryan / Zak Zeray
19 Jack Goss / Lucas Okano
20 Hugh Mager
21 Ciaran Woods / Jay Walsh
22 Jay Welsh / George Vorster
23 Marshall Stove / TBD
Capilano (Nov 15/current)
1 Hussein Khadr
2 Jacob Bossi
3 Arsalan Schaigan / Riley Canning
4 Ryan Hickey
5 Reid Yurkowski
6 Logan Weidner / Cam Tanner
7 Hamish MacDonald
8 Teancum Tuiali
9 Toby Horn
10 Wade Jansen
11 Cam Waddell / Austin James
12 Ryan Leskiw / Caleb Kingi
13 Caleb Kingi / Johnny Franklin
14 Seamus O’Sullivan
15 Jack Wise / Mike Moloney
16 Nate Bolton
17 Josh Leeks
18 Riley Canning / Blair Twaddell
19 Nick Pearce / Arthur Greene
20 Flynn Heyes
21 Ben Taylor / Cam Waddell
22 Willy Dormaar
23 TBD / Ryan Leskiw
Womens Premier – Friday Night
Vancouver Thunderbirds v Meraloma @ 19:00
Referee: Shanda Assmus AR1: Jeremy Duncan AR2: Nishant Nereyeth
Venue: UBC Thunderbird Stadium
The Thunderbirds are two time defending champions, they sit top of the standings, and they continue to add more players from their university championship side. They’re on a 2 game winning streak since they’ve strengthened their roster. They’ve added Kiki Idowu this week, she was selected as 1st team all star at the university tournament as a loosehead prop, she gets the start at openside flanker in this match.
The Lomas haven’t released their roster at the time of writing. They’ve been a bit up and down, thumping Seattle last week but losing to CW the week before. [update Lomas roster added]
Again we’ll go with the home side in this match. Prediction: Thunderbirds by +10.
Meraloma (Nov 22/current)
1 Stacey Warner / Hailey Jeffries
2 Tanya Bennett
3 Elyce Thomas / Gracie Donaldson
4 Jessica Nelson / Nat MacMillan
5 Deanna Cvitanovich
6 Gemma McCutcheon / Nicola Schmidt
7 Bea Collier-Pandya / Jessica Nelson
8 Nicola Schmidt / Helen McGhee
9 Cassidy Gale
10 Flora Poole / Sara Hernandez
11 Kayla Kim
12 Robyn Feraday / Flora Poole
13 Demi Quickfall
14 Carah Hager
15 Emma Lowe
16 Mhairianne McKeeve / Gemma McCutcheon
17 Hailey Jeffries / Stacey Warner
18 Gracie Donaldson / Elyce Thomas
19 Billie Li / Lindsey Hood
20 Lyon Mar / Rebecca Haber
21 Mikela Scharlach / Bea Collier-Pandya
22 TBD / Robyn Feraday
23 TBD / Mikela Scharlach
Thunderbirds (Nov 15/current)
1 Katie Stoddart
2 Addy Oldfield
3 Tegan Jost / Angel Boswell
4 Kimberley Sinow / Tegan Jost
5 Sofie Leman / Maya Nowotny
6 Anna Plate / Kimberley Sinow
7 Savannah Peltier / Kiki Idowu
8 Poppy Elcock / Makenna Kamiya
9 Sara Tehrani
10 Sarah MacPherson
11 Emily Wang / Jamie Dickson
12 Vela Baravian / Chloe Bong
13 Chloe Bong / Belle Rousseau
14 Skye Farish / Catrin Taylor
15 Catrin Taylor / Skye Farish
16 Maya Nowotny / Meghan Leung
17 Ruby Kaltiainen / Adinah Sheppard
18 Ayana Titifanua / Ruby Kaltiainen
19 Bronwyn Parker / Zosia Cisak
20 Ella Hudon / Sarah Fong
21 Lanae Davenport / Ella Hudon
22 Sofia Shortis / Lanae Davenport
23 Belle Rousseau / Sofia Shortis
Women’s Premier – Saturday
Burnaby Lake v Westshore @ 12:45
Referee: Rachel Morrison AR1: John Cameron AR2: Miriam Sobrino
Venue: Burnaby Lake Rugby Club
#5 hosting #3. Burnaby at 2-2 coming away from a narrow loss on a road trip to CW. Westshore coming off a bye week and in their last match were bested by a strong Thunderbirds side at home.
Burnaby moving some players around #8 Ada Okonkwo moving to tighthead prop, centre Gabrielle Hindley moving to #8.
Westshore missing their star #10 Breanne Nicholas who is in Dubai with the women’s 7s team. A strong front row with Soleil Brooks, Grace McKay and Chelsey Minter. They have speedster Emilie Brett back on the wing.
It’s a toss up, but we’ve been going with home teams this week. Prediction: Burnaby by +2.
Burnaby (Nov 22/current)
1. Lauren Tagg / Tess Woldring
2. Florence Belanger Jones / Lauren Tagg
3. Tess Woldring / Ada Okonkwo
4. Emily Van Gulik
5. Nicole Stephenson
6. Jailee Mercedes / Simran Gillar
7. Madison Brooke
8. Ada Okonkwo / Gabrielle Hindley
9. Natasha Lalonde
10. Miriama Naiobasali
11. Jaidyn Mawhinney / Olivia Vangel
12. Gabrielle Hindley / Laisana Likuceva
13. Olivia Vangel / Kaila France
14. Mia Chan
15. Kaila France / Jaidyn Mawhinney
16. S Savary / T Thompson
17. Faith Nishi
18. S Gillar / Jailee Mercedes
19. T Rowe
20. TBD / D Dublin
21. TBD / R Lewis
22. TBD
23. TBD
Westshore (Nov 15 / current)
1 Maddie Lemay / Soleil Brooks
2 Courtney Sims / Grace McKay
3 Sasha McGee / Chelsey Minter
4 Aila Norlin
5 Sioa Bloomfield / Sash McGee
6 Israel te Bulte / Brittany Sims
7 Brooke Horsfall
8 Sarah McWhinney / Sioa Bloomfield
9 Emilie Sinclair / Jillian Fulton
10 Emery Britton
11 Jilian Fulton / Ami Camicioli
12 Emerald Maze / Shayla Stigent
13 Abby Hall / Emerald Maze
14 Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt / Emilie Brett
15 Ami Camicioli / Cypress Des Ormeaux Schmidt
16 Brittany Sims / Courtney Sims
17 Soleil Brooks / Madeline Lemay
18 Zoe Williams
19 Megan Wolfe / Sarah McWhinney
20 Shayla Stigant / Hailey Sampson
21 Chelsey Minter / Israel te Bulte
22 Grace McKay / Abby Hall
23 Jimena Alvarez-Rodriguez / TBD
from BCRU
UVic v JBAA
Victoria rugby fans are in for a treat as the UVic Vikes welcome James Bay Athletic Association to Centennial Stadium for a special Friday night Under The Lights showdown in the BC Rugby Men’s Premier League.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00pm PST, with concessions and a beverage tent open to keep the atmosphere buzzing all evening.
This clash brings together two of Vancouver Island’s most respected Rugby programs: the youthful speed and ambition of the Vikes against the historic grit and experience of James Bay. With both sides hungry for victory, the stage is set for a high-energy contest under the Centennial Stadium lights.
Fans can expect fast-paced rugby, a great atmosphere, and a lively community vibe as students, alumni, and local supporters come together for one of the Island’s marquee fall fixtures. Whether you’re backing the Vikes or cheering on the Bays, this is a perfect chance to enjoy top-tier rugby in a stadium setting.
“Our athletes get excited about the opportunity to play under the lights on a Friday night in Centennial Stadium,” said Vikes Head Coach and Program Lead, Scott Manning. “We try to make this experience happen at least once a year against one of the local clubs.”
Manning added: “This year we will also be starting a new tradition where we use the evening to celebrate some of our graduating athletes – a ‘Senior’s Night’. Last year we hosted Castaway Wanderers, and this year we’re hosting James Bay on what should be a fast track, and a great advert for Premier League Rugby. It is always a fun opportunity to showcase a game, and Friday night games allow for that. We’re hoping that we’ll get out not just rugby fans of each club, but the whole island rugby community.”
Grab your friends, layer up, and get to Centennial Stadium this Friday for an exciting night of Premier League action in Victoria!
UVIC Vikes vs. James Bay AA
Date: Friday, November 28
Venue: Centennial Stadium, University of Victoria – 1901 McKenzie Ave, Victoria, BC V8P 2L5
Kick-off: 7:00pm PST
Tickets: Available here
UBC v Meraloma
Come and join us this Friday, November 28 as BC Rugby hosts a Premier League Double Header Under the Lights at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver!
Bring your friends and enjoy two exceptional games of Rugby as the Vancouver Thunderbirds hosts Meraloma RFC in the Women’s Premier League, before UBC Thunderbirds take on Meraloma RFC in the Men’s Premier League!
Entry is FREE and concessions will be available on the night – here is everything you need to know about the event.
BC Rugby gratefully acknowledges Under The Lights is taking place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam ((MUS-KWEE-UM) First Nation.
TIMINGS
6:00pm: Gates Open
6:30pm: Concessions Open
6:55pm: Women’s Teams Entrance
7:00pm: Women’s Match Kick Off
8:30pm: Men’s match kicks off
9:30pm: Concessions Close
10:30pm: End of Event
CONCESSIONS: Concessions, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, will be available from the front concourse.
PARKING: Parking is available at Thunderbird Stadium – spectators are advised to get there early as it is the parking lot is expected to be busy.
LIVESTREAM: The event is being livestreamed and will be available to watch, with full match commentary, on the UBC Thunderbirds YouTube Channel. Commentary will be provided by Chris Blackman and John Tait. Click on the links below to access the livestreams.
Women’s Livestream
Men’s Livestream
SECURITY: Security services and first aid will be on site.
ACCESSIBLE SEATING: Accessible seating is available at Thunderbird Stadium – come through the main concourse and turn left. Head down the walk way and the accessible area is on your right, opposite the Heritage Room.