It feels like the last few weeks have been a rugby whirlwind and here we are, Semi-Final weekend in the BC Rugby Senior Leagues Playoffs. Teams have battled through wind, rain, snow, sun, mud and mayhem, not to mention plenty of tooth and nail fixtures along the way. Now they stand just one game away from a place in the BC Rugby Club Finals and a chance to lay their hands on those all-important division titles and silverware. But who has what it takes to secure those spots in the matches being held at Burnaby Lake next weekend? Which teams have the resilience, the speed, the flair, the belief and the team spirit to see them through this weekend?
We’ve got a quick summary of this weekend’s fixtures for you in the article below. It is looking like a great weekend weatherwise and with so much on the line, you local rugby clubs need your support now more than ever. So grab the kids, the dog, your other half, your mates or even just pull strangers off the street and fill those touchlines with cheering fans as the players put everything on the line one more time…
Check out the KO times and venues on the Fixtures Page
MEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
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Semi-Finals – Burnaby Lake vs Castaway Wanderers; UBC vs UBCOB Ravens
Final – Semi-final Winners
Castaway Wanderers pulled out one of their strongest performances of the season to beat UVic Vikes 54-29 last weekend. Their reward? A trip to the mainland to face League leaders from the regular season, Burnaby Lake. The last encounter between these two sides was thrilling, with a total of 73 points scored between the two sides and the final result going Burnaby’s way by just 7 points. Doubtless, CW will be keen to exact some revenge and march confidently into the final, but Burnaby have been on ruthless form all year, losing only two games in regular season. Suffice to say, this is guaranteed to be a fantastic spectacle for everyone on the sidelines.
In the other Semi-Final, we have a repeat of the 2018 Men’s Premier League Final, with UBC hosting UBCOB Ravens. Ravens, the victors in last year’s final and reigning champions, added the Canadian Club Championships to their haul in Fall of 2018 and are the only side to have toppled league leaders Burnaby Lake this season. UBC have plenty of reason to feel just as confident in their ability and have been posting strong results this Spring. They also have the advantage of being on home turf and there will be a huge volume of Thunderbirds fans packing the stand at the Gerald McGavin Rugby Centre this weekend. For the neutrals amongst you, the sides have faced off twice this season, each walking away with a win apiece, their most recent fixture ending in just a single point winning margin for Ravens. Will it be as close again this weekend?
WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE
Semi-Finals – Westshore vs Seattle; Capilano vs Castaway Wanderers
Final – Semi-final Winners
So we now know the Semi-Final fixtures for the Women’s Premier League and it’s and they both look set to be enticing spectacles. Westshore, reigning champions and undefeated since January will host Seattle in the first fixture. Westshore may have won the two most recent fixtures between the teams, but Seattle have battled hard in each and are more than capable of racking up the scores. The pressure is all on Westshore to secure safe passage to the Finals next weekend and defend their Women’s Premier League Title.
The other Semi-Final will be played between Capilano and Castaway Wanderers at Klahanie Park. The two sides were separated by just two points in the Regular Season standings and both have proven to be determined and capable sides throughout the last four months. Castaway may have the psychological advantage, having won the two head to head games between the sides this year, but Capilano will have plenty of vocal home supporters lining the sides of Klanahie Park, and you can never underestimate the impact of the 16th player in a fixture as significant as this.
MEN’S PREMIER RESERVE
Semi-Finals – Burnaby Lake vs UBCOB Ravens; UVic Norsemen vs Meraloma
Final – Semi-final Winners
UBCOB Ravens edged passed a feisty UBC in their Quarter Final last weekend and will face Burnaby Lake this weekend in a bit to reach the Men’s Premier Reserve Final for the second year in a row. The two sides met just over a month ago in the Regular Season, with Burnaby coming out on top 28-23. In fact, Burnaby are in pretty imperious form, only losing a single match since the season resumed in January. Ravens will have to bring their A-game to the field this Saturday if they are to keep the dream alive.
In the other Semi-Final, UVic Norsemen will host Meraloma in an exciting fixture on the Island. Meraloma, reigning champions in the Men’s Premier Reserve division, finished five points below their opponents in the Regular Season standings and had a tough end to their season, losing three matches in a row including a defeat at the hands of UVic. However, this is a side that knows how to win and win well, and will not be keen to give up their crown without the mother of all fights. UVic are definitely a form side coming into this fixture, having successfully scored more than 40 points in each of their last five games. Will the extra weekend’s rest benefit the Norsemen or will a battle-tested Meraloma return to the mainland victorious?
WOMEN’S DIVISION 1
Semi-Finals – Abbotsford vs Cowichan-Westshore; Nanaimo Hornets vs Comox Valley Kickers
Final – Semi-final Winners
Abbotsford had a perfect run this Spring, unbeaten in six games and topping the Regular Season standings. They will host Cowichan-Westshore in their Semi-Final, the island team having defeated Bayside Sharks 39-24 last weekend. The two sides will be plenty familiar with each other, having last met only two weeks ago. Abbotsford came away the winner in that fixtures, but Cowichan-Westshore will know that revenge in this match will taste all the sweeter.
In the other Semi-Final, Nanaimo Hornets will host Comox Valley Kickers in an all-island fixture. Nanaimo have been in strong form this season with some big wins, as well as having the advantage of a weekend’s rest coming into this fixture. Comox have had to come through the hard way, defeating Meraloma last weekend, but will be happy to remind their opponents this weekend of a fixture on March 16th this year where they walked away 40-22 winners over the Hornets. Both sides have clearly got what it takes to make it through to Club Finals next weekend, but which will seize the opportunity tomorrow?
MEN’S DIVISION 1
Top 4 teams qualify for Playoffs
Semi-Finals – Bayside Sharks vs United; Surrey Beavers vs Abbotsford
Final – Semi-final Winners
Bayside Sharks showed that they can handle plenty of pressure as they cemented their place at the top of the Men’s Division 1 table. Just three weeks ago they were barely in front of rivals Abbotsford and Surrey Beavers, but two confident victories later and they had extended this to a seven-point gap. Their reward is now a home fixture against United who claimed fourth place in the table. The two sides have met three times this season with Bayside currently leading the head-to-head 3-0, but an 18-15 result back in November shows that United are capable of pushing the Sharks all the way. In the other Semi-Final, Surrey Beavers will host Abbotsford at Sullivan Heights. Surrey had the head-to-head record in their favour, currently standing 3-1, but two of those wins were less than 5 points. So these familiar rivals both have the measure of one another and you can expect a closely fought battle for that highly coveted spot in the Men’s Division 1 Final come May 4th.
WOMEN’S DIVISION 2
Top 4 teams qualify for Playoffs
Semi-Finals – Scribes vs Bayside Sharks; Capilano vs Ridge Meadows
Final – Semi-final Winners
The original write up published this morning was based on incorrect standings. Please see the ammended preview below.
Defending champions Scribes topped the standings after Regular Season and will host Bayside Sharks at Trout Lake in the first Semi-Final. The home side have been on strong form since January, dropping just a single game. However, that defeat came at the hands of Bayside, so Scribes will be keen to make amends and secure passage to the Women’s Division 2 Final. Bayside have battled hard this season to secure a playoff spot and so expect them to throw everything they have at this opportunity to make it all the way to Club Finals.
In the other Semi-Final, Capilano will host Ridge Meadows at Klahanie Park. This will be the first meeting between the two sides in 2019, so there is an air of the unknown around this fixture. Both teams have a strong record coming into the playoffs, having only dropped a single game each in the regular season. Who will come out on top at the final whistle on Saturday? Get along to Klahanie Park and check out the action for yourself!
MEN’S DIVISION 2
Semi-Finals – Langley vs Surrey Beavers; Bayside Sharks vs Kamloops
Final – Semi-final Winners
Langley secured top spot in the league to give them a pass straight to this weekend’s fixtures. They will host Surrey Beavers in a Fraser Valley battle that is guaranteed to be entertaining for the gathered crowds. Langley have been in dominant form, only losing two fixtures all year a consistently proving that they can run up the score given the slightest opportunity. And while Surrey finished some 13 points behind their opponents in Regular Season, they posted a convincing win last weekend over Burnaby to secure their Semi-Final spot and know that it all comes down to what you can do for 80mins on Saturday.
In the other Semi-Final, Bayside Sharks will host Kamloops at South Surrey Athletic Park. Kamloops are the defending champions of Men’s Division 2, a hard-won and hard celebrated title nearly 12 months ago. However this year they have done things the hard way, finishing third in the division and having to overcome a spirited Brit Lions last weekend. Bayside Sharks not only have the advantage of a week of rest, but the confidence built through an unbeaten run since January. Coupled with home-field advantage, Bayside could prove a tricky opponent, but on Semi-Final weekend, nothing is certain and expect Kamloops to throw everything they have at this fixture.
MEN’S DIVISION 3
Semi-Finals – Axemen vs Chilliwack; Richmond vs Westshore
Final – Semi-final Winners
Axemen have had a near flawless season, dropping just a single game (by a single point) and conceding less than a converted try per game all of the Regular Season. A daunting prospect, but Chilliwack won’t let something like that phase them. After edging Kats in their Quarter Final last weekend, the Fraser Valley team will have plenty of self-belief. The two sides haven’t met since the opening encounter of the season back in September, so there are plenty of unknowns heading into the game for both sides. Who will emerge victorious?
In the other Semi-Final, Richmond will host reigning champions Westshore. The hosts confidently dispatched Meraloma last weekend and are riding high on a wave of confidence, having finished the regular season in second place. Their opponents have got a title to defend and they certainly won’t be giving it up without a fight. Westshore comfortably topped the Island Division 3 table but they will be coming up against an unfamiliar foe when they take to the field against Richmond. Expect a game filled with passion, heart and a dogged determination from both sides.