The Comox Valley Kickers men’s rugby team kicked off their 2024/2025 season on the road, facing a tough James Bay Athletic Association (JBAA) side in Victoria. Originally scheduled to be played at home, logistical challenges forced the Kickers to move their opening game down island.
JBAA were accommodating to Despite the change of venue, the Kickers were eager to test themselves in a new division. However, JBAA proved to be a formidable opponent, delivering a dominant performance and defeating the Kickers 42-0.
Kickers’ captain, Kyle Hall, acknowledged the difficulty of the match but remained positive about the season ahead. “We knew it was going to be a tough game. James Bay has a lot of experience, and they showed it today. But this is just the start for us. We’ll take this as a learning experience and bounce back stronger.”
The Kickers were able to dominate the scrums and were very strong in the line outs, but they struggled to contain the relentless pressure from James Bay, who used their speed and tactical play to control the game from start to finish.
Looking ahead, the Comox Valley Kickers will regroup and prepare for their next match with hopes of turning the tide. The Kickers’ next game will be at home on Saturday, September 28 as they host Cowichan RFC at the Cumberland Village Park, scheduled for a 1PM kickoff.