The Comox Valley Kickers rugby teams took to the field this past weekend in two challenging matchups. The men’s team hosted Westshore RFC at Cumberland Village Park in the first leg of the two-game series for Konny’s Axes Memorial Shield, while the women’s team traveled to Abbotsford for their first away game of the season.
Honoring Konrad Nikkel with Memorial Shield Match
The men’s game was especially poignant, as it marked the start of the two-game aggregate for Konny’s Axes Memorial Shield. This shield honors the legacy of Konrad Nikkel, a dedicated player for both the Comox Valley Kickers RFC and Westshore RFC. While the Kickers played with determination, they ultimately fell to Westshore, with a final score of 83-22.
Despite the tough loss, the Kickers made some memorable plays. Tries came from Kyle Christensen, Stephen Hextall, and Raffael Tonazzi, while Kyle Hall contributed with one penalty kick and two successful conversions. The team showed resilience, but Westshore’s relentless offense proved challenging. With one more game in the series, the Kickers are keen to regroup and return stronger for the second match scheduled for March 29.
“Westshore’s a tough opponent and we’ve got areas to tighten up, but I’m confident we will come back stronger the next time we play each other,” said Coach Tim Quek.
Women’s Team Shines on the Road Against Abbotsford
Meanwhile, the Comox Valley Kickers women’s team hit the road for their first away game of the season, traveling to face Abbotsford RFC. It was a long journey, but their hard work paid off with an impressive 46-15 victory. The women’s team executed their game plan effectively from the start. Led by a stellar performance across the board, the Kickers dominated with tries from Natalie Nguyen (2), Cali McKay, Tanya Garneau, Chloe Speed, Lauren Sargent, Jenn Lund, and Kirstin Johnson. McKay added two conversions, with Sargent adding another, rounding off an impressive score.
After the game, Coach Pete Morton praised the team’s effort, especially given they were outnumbered. “They exuded awesome effort, stuck to the game plan, and worked hard right to the final whistle,” Morton commented, highlighting the Kickers’ determination and teamwork which carried them through to a well-deserved victory.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, the men’s team has a bye this upcoming weekend, giving them a chance to recuperate and regroup. The women’s team, however, will be back on the road, heading to Nanaimo for another away game. The game is scheduled for an 11:15am kickoff at the May Richards Bennett Pioneer Park.
Play with us!
The Comox Valley Kickers RFC is continually recruiting players. Everyone welcome. No experience is necessary. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Village Park. For more information, please visit comoxvalleyrugby.ca.