by Natalie Ramsay | Sep 30, 2019 | Game Reports, Men's News, Women's News
This past Saturday had double the rugby action as both the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s and Men’s teams travelled to the Cowichan Valley to face off against the Cowichan Piggies. It was a game of endurance for the women’s game as both squads only had 15 players. The Piggies scored the first points of the game, but the Kickers quickly fell into their groove and answered back right away. The back line was able to use their speed which helped to create overlaps that they used to their advantage. Inside Centre Natalie Nguyen, Outside Centre Daris Tendler and Wingers Carrie Weekes and Béatrice Sylvain each scored once with Flyhalf Paula Simpson scoring twice and making 5 out of 6 conversions for a 40-15 win. “It was a closer game than the score line indicates. Cowichan had some big runs. They were at our goal line for several plays, but we had a strong defensive stance and did not let them score. Once we were able to regain possession and relieve pressure, that’s when everything started to click. Our forward pack shined in the lineouts, winning all but a few and our back line kept on attacking,” said Kickers Coach JP Lussier. In their first game of the season, the Comox Valley Men’s team found themselves playing defense more often then attacking downfield. “Cowichan is a more experienced and seasoned team. When we had possession, we ran well, and our set pieces were sound. With more practices and games under our belt, I believe that we will improve steadily. There were a lot of good takeaways from this game,” said...
by Natalie Ramsay | Sep 23, 2019 | Game Reports, Women's News
This past Saturday, the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s Team hosted Victoria’s Castaway Wanderers at Vanier Secondary School and earned a 45-29 win to continue their winning streak. The Kickers started off strong with an interception by Chloë Speed in the early minutes of the game which helped to set the tone. The backline utilized their speed and capitalized on opportunities with Natalie Nguyen, Daris Tendler and Speed adding a try each and Paula Simpson scoring twice. It was a very competitive game with a lot of back and forth action. With some hard hits and offloads, forwards Jessica Leck and Karli MacFarlane also added points on the board. Simpson kicked five successful conversions. “We have several returning players this season which has made it easy to continue where we left off last spring. The new players on the squad fit right in and are already making a difference. This was a hard team to play against; they were very fast and had some long runs, but our team kept it cool and always answered back. Our game flow was great, and we kept the pressure on the opposing side. I am excited to see how the team continues to improve and grow. This has been a great start to the season.” said Kickers Coach Thyssen de Goede. Both Senior Women’s and Men’s team travel to Cowichan next Saturday, which will be the Men’s first game of the season. Both teams are still recruiting players for the season. No experience needed. We practice at Cumberland Village Park on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30PM to 8:00PM. For more information, please visit...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 29, 2019 | Game Reports
That’s the end of the Comox Valley Kickers Women’s rugby season. This past Saturday, the Kickers were on the road to face off against their Island rivals, the Nanaimo Hornets in the BCRU Division 1 semi-final match. The game started with great intensity with a lot of back and forth action. Defense was strong on both sides of the field. In the first half, the Kickers had strong scrums, were quick to the rucks and ran the ball well. In the second half, two key injuries in the Kickers forward back changed the game. Momentum favored Nanaimo who scored several unanswered tries. Kickers points were scored by Outside Centre Daris Tendler and Fullback Tanya Timmons, with Paula Simpson adding a successful conversion. The final score was 12-39. “It was a very tough, physical game. Both teams came to play. We started out well but at the end just couldn’t find an answer to Nanaimo’s attack,” said Kickers Captain Natalie Nguyen. “The game didn’t go our way this time around but all in all, we had a phenomenal season. I am proud of the hard work and effort that all the ladies put into practices and at the games. The camaraderie between the players on and off the pitch make it all worth it. I am excited for what the next season brings.” Join the Kickers for their Burger & Beer fundraiser on Thursday, May 2nd at the Cumberland Hotel. The event starts at...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 22, 2019 | Game Reports
The Comox Valley Kickers Women’s rugby team had a dominating game in the first round of playoffs, knocking out the defending champions. This past Saturday, the Kickers hosted Vancouver’s Meraloma RFC in the BCRU Division 1 quarterfinal game at Cumberland Village Park in front of a huge crowd of community supporters and fans. The Kickers scored a frenzy of unanswered tries to start the game off strong. With the forward pack gaining the hard yards by crashing the ball and the back line utilizing the opportunities given, the Kickers were consistent in their offensive attacks throughout the whole game. There was a lot of back and forth action, but the Kickers demonstrated solid defense, only allowing one score against. Inside Centre Natalie Nguyen and Flyhalf Paula Simpson both had a strong game with a hattrick of tries a piece with Outside Centre Daris Tendler and Winger Tanya Timmons each scoring once. Simpson was perfect with her kicks, adding 8 conversions. The final score was 56 – 5. “We played with an intensity that was hard to match. We’ve improved from the last game as what we practiced on during the week, we executed during the game. Everyone did their job and contributed to the win,” said Kickers Captain Natalie Nguyen. “Our back line had great line speed and ran our plays well which allowed us to exploit their defense. Once we were able to break the line, it was very difficult to catch us. Our forwards were quick to the rucks and were strong in the scrums and lineouts. Overall, it was a very well-rounded game for us. We...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 15, 2019 | Game Reports
This past weekend, the Kickers hosted Burnaby’s Simon Fraser RFC (“SFU”). In the first half, the Kickers spent most of the time inside SFU’s 22-metre line hungry to score. SFU demonstrated exceptionally sound defense and thwarted off several attacks before surrendering a try mid-way through the half. Once the Kickers were on the scoreboard, it was difficult to contain them. Hard hits, fast rucks and line speed were the main themes of this rugby game. In the second half, the Kickers were able to hit their rhythm and used their opportunities to make big plays. Inside Centre Natalie Nguyen, Outside Centre Daris Tendler and 8-man Karli MacFarlane each scored two tries while Lock Hazel Bice scored once. Flyhalf Paula Simpson added one try and four conversions. The final score was 48 – 5. “This game was the culmination of all of our practices and trainings since the start of the season in September and was a great game to end the regular season on. I am so proud of the hard work that the ladies have put in and the improvements from the start of the season to now,” said Kickers Captain Natalie Nguyen. “Our forward pack contested every scrum and lineout and demonstrated great strength. Mauls were especially on point this game. Our back line executed plays well and used our speed to our advantage. We need to continue this momentum going into the playoffs, which start next week.” The Kickers finished 3rd in the BCRU rankings which will have them hosting 6th ranked Meralomas for the quarter-final playoff match held over Easter weekend. For more information about...
by Natalie Ramsay | Apr 15, 2019 | Game Reports, Uncategorized
The Comox Valley Kickers Women’s winning streak ends. This past weekend, the Kickers travelled to Nanaimo to face off against the Hornets, the second time in a span of 3 weeks. This was a very different game than the one played just two weeks prior in Cumberland. The Hornets scored a fury of unanswered tries right out of the gates. The Kickers were playing behind the whole game and never hit their rhythm. Points were scored by Outside Centre Daris Tendler and 8-man Audrey Jones. The final score was 10-60. “This was a big wake up call. We still have a lot to work on. Nanaimo played a great game. We played most of the game on defense and didn’t really get an opportunity to run the ball,” said Kickers Coach Thyssen de Goede. “Everything considered, I am proud of the hard work and effort displayed by the ladies on the pitch. They never gave up. All we can do is learn from this game, regroup and focus on our next opponent.” The Comox Valley Kickers are still recruiting players for the season. No experience needed. For more information, please visit comoxvalleyrugby.ca or email cvkickers@gmail.com....
