The Ravens maintain their hold of top spot in the table with CW and UBC a point behind. Even though Week 1 matches were all close with an average +3 differential over the 4 matches, this week there were some blowouts with only the Vikes v Westshore game decided by 1 point. The average score differential this week was +24
The Howlers are preparing to head to Guatemala for the Gran Jaguar 7s tournament taking place October 18th and 19th in San Miguel Dueñas on the outskirts of Antigua, Guatemala. The team will be travelling down on the 12th for a week long preparation. National teams from Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador will be participating, as well as development sides from Mexico (Linaje Azteca) and Guatemala (GT Juveniles). Besides the Howlers, 2 other social teams will be playing, the Chupacabras, a Houston, Texas based side and the Mayas a mix of Mexican and Guatemalan players.
UBC will host the 2025 U Sports Women’s Rugby Championship, the media release is posted below. The 2024 championships are to be hosted by UPEI in Charlottetown, PEI from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.
I was browsing on X (formerly Twitter) and saw a post from an account called Tier 2 which asked a valid question, “Any good theories for why ???? Canada women (ranked 2nd in 15s & Olympic silver in 7s) currently such contrast to woeful state of the men’s sides? Even accounting for much shallower field on women’s side to be ranked 2nd with no Tier 1 money very impressive.”
On a cool, late September day the Ravens opened their season facing a fit, well drilled UVic team that was in good form having already had three tough Coastal Cup games. So, it was no surprise to see UVic seize the advantage early with a forward drive to score under the posts at 10 minutes which rewarded their control of the game to that point. Luckily for the home side though, minutes later, a UVic back hung a long miss pass which Ravens winger David Thompson stretched high to snag and quickly run in from short range 7-5 UVic.
Canada opened their WXV 1 campaign with a 46-24 win over France, the win will see Canada rise to #2 in the World rankings behind England. The match was close for the first 30 minutes with the teams tied at 14-14 until player of the match, second row, Laetitia Royer scored the first of her two tries to put Canada ahead, 19-14. A lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
The BC Premier kicked off this weekend with four games, the Bays had a bye and the Pride were playing a Coastal Cup match. The theme of the season seems to be parity early on with an average of a 3 point difference over 4 matches in the BC Premier.
Canada can rise to #2 in the World Rugby rankings overtaking NZ on Sunday with a win over France. The result of the NZ vs Ireland match won’t improve NZ’s World Rugby ranking due to the large ranking difference between NZ and Ireland.
BC Rugby is delighted to announce the 2024 Hall of Fame Dinner, honouring BC Rugby’s Hall of Fame Class of 2024 and this year’s winners of The Joan Spray & Jack Patterson Memorial Awards.
I had a chance to talk to Ralph McRae, one of the driving forces behind the Vancouver Highlanders, and I’ll share my thoughts from the conversation. I’m sure if I get anything wrong, Ralph or Curry will let me know.