A dry afternoon at Connaught with the busiest referee in Canada, Shanda Assmus, in charge brought the two west side rivals together again to see out the season’s first half. Early on the Ravens won a set decisively and that strength was a difference that served them well the rest of the way.
It’s the wrap up of the fall season, the last matches before the Dec/Jan winter break. Play resumes January 24th. UBC defaulted their match to Westshore, they’ve chosen to take a game in South Carolina versus USA #2 Life University. That puts Westshore top of the table going into the break, the Ravens have caught UBC in a 2nd/3rd place tie, Capilano sit in 4th place, Burnaby drop to 5th and the Bays claim 6th. The women’s Premier wrapped up their fall season last weekend.
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.
It was a gumboot day for the fans but the pitch was in good shape for this anticipated tilt between two upper table hopefuls and long-time rivals. The first half was an even affair with the Ravens cashing in for tries at 15 and 18 minutes and the home team being held off the scoresheet. Ravens prop Louis Kassapian finished off a Billy Wickham quick tap and run for the first try and left winger Jean-Claude Koorsten put on a burst down the line after a long miss pass from Andrew Coe for the second score. Burnaby had its chances but after Napo Bolaca quick tapped and beat the line his long pass to send his support free was knocked on and at 40 minutes another threat ended with Wickham jackalling at the tackle near the Ravens’ line.
It was Week 8 of the BC Premier season with 3 matches on tap, plus an exhibition with the Chicago Hounds development team in town to take on the Pride. The women’s Premier also had 3 matches this weekend. A couple of upsets in men’s Premier with Burnaby taking down defending champs Ravens and CW getting their first win over the visiting Meraloma.
A soggy November morning gave way to a dry afternoon and some good rugby for the players and stalwart fans at Jericho. The Ravens dominated possession for the first 25 minutes tallying two tries the first through Noah Bain beating his man outside and sending a grubber across the line to be touched down by Mark Wandeto and the second a Joe Locke line break and pass to Jake Tierney who also grubbered and then jackalled to regain possession for Cole Keffer who jinked about and dove in for a 14-3 Ravens lead.
Week 7 wrapped with Lomas finding their form at home and getting back in the win column after a four game losing streak. Ravens continue to excel as they look to defend their title. Westshore edge Caps in a close match and Burnaby dominate in road win at CW. In women’s Premier, Thunderbirds welcome return of uni players and establish their championship form, Abby keeps it close at home and CW hand Lomas their first loss.
It’s Week 6 in the 19 Week league, so about 1/3 through. Each team plays a home and away with the other 8 teams plus one home game against the Pride for 17 games in total per team, except the Pride. There’s no Premier rugby on Remembrance Day weekend, play resumes November 15th.
With young Kiwi referee Cole Northcote presiding on a cool but thankfully drying afternoon at Jericho U Vic had no sign of ferry legs and brought the heat early. A UVic forwards try at 5 minutes woke up the Ravens who answered with two tries of their own through their forwards and #9 Billy Wickham by the 15-minute mark, 14-7 Ravens. But then UVic took over the game, dominating territory and possession till the half.
It’s Week 5 of the BC Premier with 4 matches, Westshore and Pride have a bye and are playing a friendly on Friday evening at Starlight Stadium. It’s Week 3 of the Women’s Premier with 2 matches on the slate. UBC remain the only undefeated side in men’s Premier, while Burnaby and Westshore top the women’s Premier.