Island Tide Play Expansive Rugby in 53-17 Win Over Vancouver Wave
The Vancouver Wave struck first just 3 minutes into the match with a lineout and maul that went to ground just short of the goal line, a couple of pick and goes saw them go over, Mike Moloney converted, 7-0. At this early stage of the game the Wave lineout looked to be functioning well and as the commentator noted, the Wave team seemed suited to a strong forwards match while the Tide would likely rely on an expansive game.
A few minutes later the Tide would respond set up by a strong run by D’Shawn Bowen, some linking play by Gradyn Bowd and the final dive over the line by hooker Antonio Corbin. The Tide game plan seemed to be keeping the ball moving quickly across the field with maestro Gradyn Bowd as the conductor to a fast backline featuring D’Shawn Bowen, Kainoa Lloyd, Craig Mitchell-Hermann, and Sion Griffiths with big centre Mike Niuwenhuysen driving the ball straight ahead. It was a formula that would be effective as the game wore on. Bowd hit the conversion, 7-7.
There was a turning point about 15 minutes into the match, the Wave were enjoying prolonged pressure inside the Tide 22 with a score seeming imminent. A chip to the goal area was saved by Bowen who beat the Wave attacker to the ball, it hadn’t been touched down in goal and Craig Mitchell-Hermann started the counter attack with Bowd, Bowen and #8, Gage Fletcher, in support. In a few seconds the ball had gone from the Tide goal line to the Wave 22, just missing a 50/22 on the kick ahead. The Wave won the ensuing lineout but on the next phase the Tide forwards pushed over on the ruck to win the penalty. The Tide quick tapped and with scrum half Crosby Stewart providing quick ball from the breakdowns and Grady Bowd creatively distributing the ball finally found an unmarked #19 at the goal area for a try in the corner. Lineup said #19 Quinton Ormiston but announcer said Keegan Neary, we’ll get that clarified. 12-7 for Tide with 23 minutes left in the first half.
With 15 minutes left in the match the Tide had a scrum at the Wave 22, the Wave pushed the scrum backwards but Crosby Stewart rescued the ball from the back of the retreating scrum and found Sion Griffiths at pace. He broke the gain line and the ball was sent wide to D’Shawn Bowen who beat his defender for a try in the corner, 17-7.
Just 5 minutes later the Tide were again at the Wave 22 and after some attempts at the line the ball went from Bowd to Kainoa Lloyd to Craig Mitchell-Hermann for the try, 24-7. From the ensuing kickoff big Mike Niuwenhuysen took the ball, beat some defenders, chipped the ball ahead and reclaimed it at the Wave 22. From that possession the Tide set up camp inside the Wave 22 and off a penalty Bowd quick tapped to #16 Ezrah Vai who bowled over defenders for a try, 31-7 with 5 minutes in the half.
The Wave hit right back with a try similar to their first, a lineout and maul, with #16 Mark Rickard crossing the line. The Wave lineout and maul were working well and they needed to find more possession inside the Tide 22 in the second half. Half time score 31-12 for Tide.
The Tide started the second half with a solo run by Gradyn Bowd off a tap penalty. The play was finished off by a Craig Mitchell-Hermann chip kick to the wing and into the hands of D’Shawn Bowen who scored untouched. It was a play right out of the top drawer and something you would see watching Super Rugby, 36-12.
Next up for Tide was a kick and chase by Craig Mitchell-Hermann who took advantage of a Wave handling error to score a solo try, 43-12 with 22 minutes left in the match. Another highlight reel off the kickoff as Kainoa Lloyd broke through a gap and offloaded to D’Shawn Bowen who beat defenders for a try, 48-12 with 20 minutes left.
The Wave got one back with 5 minutes left in the match, a scrum inside the Tide 22 and a quick ball out to one of the backline subs, possibly Chris Knoph, 48-17.
The Tide get the last score with Isaac Gonevou replacing Bowd at flyhalf, he finds the replacement wing, now wearing #11, on the outside, final 53-17.
An entertaining match with the Tide backline standing out, Gradyn Bowd and D’Shawn Bowen as expected putting in outstanding performances, Kainoa Lloyd dangerous when he found a gap, Sion Griffiths solid throughout and Crosby Stewart providing quick ball at scrum half. I would say the surprise performance and someone who certainly raised their profile is the Tide fullback Craig Mitchell-Hermann who had an outstanding match.
The full match video along with all the PRC matches from Day 1 on the main field is below. The Tide v Wave match starts at the 6 hour, 26 minute mark.
Rosters Posted for Tomorrow’s Island Tide vs Vancouver Wave Match at Shawnigan Lake
It will be a great day of rugby at Shawnigan Lake School tomorrow with 3 pitches going non stop, the PRCs (Provincial Regional Championships) at the U19, U17 and U15 level, will run from about 10am to 4pm. The final match on the main field at 5pm will be the senior men’s match Island Crimson Tide vs Vancouver Wave.
The rosters for the two teams are below, there are some marquee players like Gradyn Bowd at #10 for the Tide, and Canada 7s players D’Shawn Bowen and Kainoa Lloyd on the wing . The Vancouver team boasts some well know players as well like Jesse Mackail, the Seattle Seawolves hooker, Reid Watkins, Mike Moloney and Jordan Wilson-Ross. [update: Jesse Mackail a late withdrawal.]
Island Crimson Tide
1. Connor Williams – Pacific Pride
2. Antonio Corbin – Castaway Wanderers RFC
3. Theo Espagnol – Pacific Pride
4. Josh Petrov – UVIC Vikes
5. Asfi Saeed – James Bay AA
6. Merlin McLoud – UVIC Vikes
7. Brendyn Beck – James Bay AA
8. Gage Fletcher – Nanaimo Hornets RFC
9. Crosby Stewart – James Bay AA
10. Gradyn Bowd – Castaway Wanderers RFC
11. D’Shawn Bowen – Pacific Pride
12. Mike Niuwenhuysen – James Bay AA
13. Sion Griffiths – UVIC Vikes
14. Hudson Poppitt – Westshore RFC
15. Craig Mitchell-Hermann – James Bay AA
16. Ezrah Vai – James Bay AA
17. Jace Peters – Castaway Wanderers RFC
18. Dakota Lachance – James Bay AA
19. Quinton Ormiston – Westshore RFC
20. Jamieson Stewart – Nanaimo Hornets RFC
21. Anthony Carroll – Westshore RFC
22. Isaac Gonevou – James Bay AA
23. Andrew Easson – Castaway Wanderers
24. Keegan Neary – UVIC Vikes
25. Kainoa Lloyd – James Bay AA
Vancouver Wave
1. Kevin Griffiths – UBC
2. Jacob Bossi – Capilano
3. Conor Turley – Meraloma
4. Ryan Hickey – Capilano
5. Conor O’Brien – Meraloma
6. Isaiah Harrison – Ravens
7. Reid Brookes – Capilano
8. Jalan Farris – Meraloma
9. Reid Watkins – Burnaby
10. Mike Maloney – Capilano
11. Ben Taylor – Capilano
12. Jad Hamade – Meraloma
13. Jordan Wilson-Ross – Meraloma
14. Tyus Dimbleby – Meraloma
15. Babak Nowtash – Collingwood
16. Mark Rickard – Meraloma
17. Corey Hughes – Meraloma
18. Chris Taylor – Ravens
19. Jesse Mackail – Seattle Seawolves
20. Dominik McMullen – Brit Lions
21. Sam Calder – Collingwood
22. Jordan Quinn – Meraloma
23. Chris Knoph – Capilano
24. Hamilton Wilby Potter – Capilano
Vancouver Island Tide v Vancouver Wave Match on July 5th at Shawnigan Lake
It seems as if it has been a while since we’ve had men’s regional rugby. The McKechnie Cup was the trophy awarded to the regional champion in BC, it was last run in 2022 and won by the Pacific Pride. The McKechnie Cup goes back to 1896 but it has been neglected in recent decades. There are article links posted below on the history of the McKechnie Cup, the McKechnie Cup 2022, and the last Wave v Tide match in November 2022. This isn’t the McKechnie Cup however, this is a regional exhibition game between the Vancouver Wave and Vancouver Island Crimson Tide but it’s a start.
The last time these two teams met was in the 2022 McKechnie Cup, it was a 35-29 win for the Wave after coming back from a 24-7 deficit. It’s good to see the senior men’s regional teams in action again and we’ll post the rosters when they become available.
from BCRU
Rugby fans are in for a treat this summer as one of British Columbia’s most storied rivalries returns to the pitch. The Crimson Tide will face off against the Vancouver Wave in a special Men’s Exhibition Match hosted during the 2025 Provincial Regional Championships (PRCs) at Shawnigan Lake School!
Scheduled for Saturday, July 5, at 5:00pm PST, this feature match promises hard-hitting action and top-tier rugby, bringing together elite players from the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. With regional pride on the line, both teams will be eager to put on a show in front of a crowd of rugby enthusiasts, families, and future stars of the game.
The Wave vs. Tide rivalry stretches back decades. This year’s match offers the perfect blend of tradition and high-performance competition, adding extra excitement to a weekend already buzzing with energy from BC’s best youth talent competing at the PRCs.
“The Tide vs Wave Senior Men’s match is an exciting addition to what will already be an action-packed, revamped PRCs at Shawnigan Lake. It will connect our young athletes with the legacy and quality of senior regional competition, and will no doubt be a fantastic spectacle for fans in attendance.” BC Rugby Technical Director John Tait
The exhibition match kicks off at 5:00pm PST on the Canada Field at Shawnigan Lake School. Admission is free and BC Rugby will announce live-stream details once confirmed.
Don’t miss this iconic clash where rugby tradition meets future potential in a match that’s sure to leave an impression.
SENIOR MEN’S EXHIBITION MATCH
Match: Crimson Tide vs Vancouver Wave
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time: 5:00pm PST
Location: Shawnigan Lake School (Canada Field)