UVic Vikes Repeat as Men’s Champions; McMaster Win Women’s Title
Rugby Canada media release
posted March 10 2014
LANGFORD, BC On Saturday afternoon the UVic Vikes wrapped up the 2014 National University Rugby Sevens Championships at Westhills Stadium with an emphatic 24-19 victory over UBC. The win over their provincial rivals saw the hometown Vikes capture back-to-back titles and their third championship in four years.
Earlier in the day, McMaster, lead by the Player of the Tournament Cindy Nelles, defeated the University of Lethbridge 24-7 to capture the tournament title in the Womens competition.
The fourth installment of the National University Rugby Sevens Championship, held at the home of Canadian rugby in Langford, BC, was again a successful event with 26 teams in competition over three days this weekend.
MENS DAY THREE WRAP UP
Sunday kicked off with two mens games, as Humber and Western defeated Royal Military College and Waterloo respectively in the Plate Semi-Finals.
The next two games of the day featured the mens Cup Semi-Finals, where UBC easily handed Queens 31-0 before the Vikes won the all-UVIC game against the Norseman 41-0.
After a break in the action, which saw the womens games wrap up, the men continued their play with Calgary defeating Mount Royal University 17-0 to capture the Bowl Championship. One of the more exciting games of the day followed with Humber defeating tournament favourites Western 27-12 to capture the Plate Title. Humber was lead by their captain Jason Chuck and the incredible scoring touch of Joseph Ginsberg and Justin Tota.
In the 3rd/4th game, Queens proved too much for the hometown UVIC Norsemen, as they were victorious 24-12.
The final game of the weekend saw the UVIC Vikes look to defend their title against the visiting UBC Thunderbirds in a re-match of the finals of the 2014 Las Vegas Sevens Invitational. In front of nearly 30,000 fans, UBC defeated UVIC earlier this year in January.
The game opened heavily in favour of the Thunderbirds with tries from Canada Sevens player Sean Ferguson and Canada Under-20 hopeful Harjun Gill.
Despite trailing early on, the experience of flyhalf Pat Kay 2013 Mens Player of the Tournament and Beau Parker lead the charge to rally the Vikes. Two tries from Man of the Tournament, James Pitblado would bring them back into the game. UVIC took their first lead of the game when Parker broke free for the score, but Kay wasnt able to convert. Score stood 19-14 for UVIC with less than four minutes remaining.
UBC would draw the game even with a beautiful solo try from Liam Murphy-Burke, but his conversion attempt was also unsuccessful. With the game matted at 19-a-piece and little time left on the clock, the crowd was in for an exciting finish.
The game was won for the home side when youngster Kane Wyatt, son of former Canada player Mark Wyatt, broke through the defense to score under the posts. UBC was awarded one last scrummage deep inside their territory with no time left on the clock, but a cross-kick from Sandover-Best, which bounced into touch, signaled the end of the game and a victory for the Vikes.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS VS 3RD PLACE QUEEN’S IN POOL ROUND
WOMENS DAY THREE WRAP UP
The Final Day of the tournament only featured four Womens games, but none of them disappointed todays fervent crowd.
In exciting fashion, the York Lions defeated the UVIC Vikes 2 31-19 to capture the Womens Bowl Competition. The Plate Final saw 2012 and 2013 Champions Guelph defeat the Western Mustangs 24-5.
Following those two fixtures, the UVIC Vikes 1 used the excited crowds support to defeat last years runner-up University of Alberta 15-0.
Despite narrowly losing all three of their pool games on Day One of the tournament, the McMaster Marauders upset Guelph and hammered Alberta in the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals to advance to the Finals on Sunday.
McMasters opponents would be the University of Lethbridge, who qualified for the finals by handling Western and UVIC 1 on Day Two of competition.
Despite a strong effort from Lethbridge, McMaster would prevail 24-7 to capture their first National Sevens Title.
*Day 2 UVic Norsemen Upset Western in Men’s Cup QF – Lethbridge v McMaster in Women’s Final*
posted March 8 2014
[ed. comments below]
It was a day of upsets in the University 7s. On the men’s side the UVic 2nd side, the Norsemen, upset last year’s finalists Western. That gives them a berth in the Cup semi-finals against the UVic 1st team the Vikes, maybe something to prove there. It was a big turn around for the UVic team who didn’t perform on Day 1. I’m guessing some motivational exhortations for coach Robin MacDowell had something to do with it. The team looked more focused on Day 2 with some of their top guns, like Lucas Hammond, performing better. Their match is at 10:06am, the other semi sees Queen’s take on UBC at 9:44am.
On the women’s side, favourites Guelph were knocked out in the Cup QF by McMaster 12-10. McMaster then defeated Alberta 35-0 to earn a place in the Cup final. On the other side of the draw Lethbridge defeated Western then UVic to book their place in the final, that takes place at 11:38am.
DAY 2 RESULTS MEN
DAY 2 RESULTS WOMEN
*Four Teams Undefeated After Day 1 in Men’s Tournament – Three in Women’s*
posted March 8 2014
[ed. comments below]
The four top ranked teams in the men’s division went undefeated on Day 1, UVic, UBC, Queen’s and Western. It sets up some top games tomorrow morning with the Vikes taking on Queen’s at 9am and Western v UBC at 9:44am. Queen’s probably impressed me the most, they have the largest overall size, think a team of John Moonlight’s. It will be their physicality versus the Vikes experience and speed. UBC have a strong defence which gives them an edge, their team speed on cover defence is impressive and they counter attack well. Western also have a number of talented players, it’s definitely a four team race from here on. The biggest disappointment on Day 1 was the UVic 2nd team, the Norsemen, I thought they might upset one of the top 2 seeds in their pool, or at least run them close but it didn’t happen – they looked a little disorganized.
On the women’s side, Alberta didn’t live up to their pre-tournament ranking and were defeated by the UVic Vikes who exceeded expectations. They along with Guelph and Humber are undefeated after Day 1. Humber is looking strong and Guelph not quite as dominant as they were last year, although they still remain favourites after Day 1.
MEN’S RESULTS DAY 1
WOMEN’S RESULTS DAY 1
PHOTOS FROM DAY 1
DAY 2 SCHEDULE
DAY 3 SCHEDULE
*Pre-Tournament Form Guide for University 7s*
posted March 7 2014
[ed. comments below. The games are streamed live by Rugby Canada for a viewing fee of $3.99 on rugbycanada.tv]
We’ll take a pre-tournament look at some of the teams and try to predict the form for Day 1.
Men’s
Pool 1
Vikes are last year’s winners and they are top seed in the pool. The Vikes defaulted a XVs game this week to concentrate on 7s so they’re in no mood to take it easy. They’re led by Pat Kay who is on the cusp of becoming a core member of the national squad. National team coach Geraint John will be there with pen and paper taking notes so players will want to respond with top level performances.
Queen’s are ranked second in the pool and may be the top Ontario side in the tournament, going through the U20 XVs roster there are three players from Queen’s: Lucas Rumball, Matt Mullins, Adam McQueen. They should be good.
Mount Royal from Calgary are a wait and see, they had James Buchanan and Clay Panga playing for them one year I believe. Otherwise not much known about this squad.
Humber from the Toronto area are ranked last in the pool but may have a surprise up their sleeve as Jack Smith, the U20 flanker playing for James Bay is eligible to play for them. Otherwise not much known.
Pool 2
This may be the pool of death as Western, UBC and UVic Norsemen are in the pool. I think the Royal Military College may be in over their heads in this one. Western had Conor Trainor last year but I don’t believe he’s eligible this year. They may top the pool ranking due to last year’s 2nd place finish but UBC are the form team this year, defeating UVic at the Vegas 7s. UBC could be considered pre-tournament favourites along with the Vikes. The UVic Norsemen, their 2nd team, may surprise the favourites as well. Lucas Hammond coming back from injury and a member of the national 7s squad may suit up for the Norsemen. RMC, alas, seem a level below these teams but not enough is known about their roster at this time.
Pool 3
This seems to be the pool they put the lower ranked teams, perhaps for parity reasons. It’s topped by UBC Okanagan out of Kelowna, then Waterloo, Regina, Calgary and the newly formed Vancouver Island University team from Nanaimo. I might think Calgary will do well in this pool but no one team is a rugby 7s powerhouse. It will be interesting to see if Vancouver Island University will be competitive, I don’t think they’ve ever played an actual game together, just scrimmages so I’m curious about their results.
Women’s
Even less is known about the women’s pools pre-tournament. The obvious favourites are Guelph who absolutely smashed the competition last year, and Alberta who defeated Guelph this year in XVs. Outside of these two powerhouse teams I don’t know if anyone else is going to come close. There may be some lopsided scores in the Women’s pools. After Day 1 the picture will become clearer. John Tait will no doubt be out analyzing and looking for new talent to add to the national women’s 7s talent pool.
Day 1 Schedule
*University 7s in Langford March 7-9: List of Teams Entered and Preview*
posted Feb 20 2014
[ed. comments below]
Three days of 7s action coming to the Victoria area as the annual Canadian University 7s decides the top college rugby 7s program in Canada.
Last year the University of Victoria won the men’s title and the University of Guelph won the women’s title. That’s the general form guide a BC university will be favourites on the men’s side and an Ontario university on the women’s side.
UBC have outshone their more prominent rugby rivals, UVic, this year however. They defeated them twice in XVs and won the Vegas 7s Invitational in January, so UBC have to be favourites on the men’s side. Western had a strong team last year but with Conor Trainor graduated, they may not have the depth. Queen’s may be the Ontario team to watch this year. Depending on the pools it could be a Vegas rematch with UVic and UBC facing off in the final.
On the women’s side Alberta defeated Guelph in the CIS XVs final which would put both teams as co-favourites, Guelph as defending 7s champions, and Alberta as the dominant XVs team this year.
MEN’S DIVISION
HUMBER COLLEGE
MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY
QUEENS UNIVERSITY
ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA – OKANAGAN
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY DINOS
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA – NORSEMEN
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA – VIKES
VANCOUVER ISLAND STORM
WATERLOO UNIVERSITY
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
ALBERTA (Tentative)
MCMASTER (Tentative)
SIMON FRASER (Tentative)
WOMEN’S DIVISION
GUELPH UNIVERSITY
HUMBER COLLEGE
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA – OKANAGAN
UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY OF REGINA
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA 1
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA 2
WESTERN UNIVERSITY
YORK UNIVERSITY