The Comox Valley Kickers women’s rugby team made a powerful statement in their season opener at home, delivering a dominant 88-0 victory over Castaway Wanderers (CW), who travelled up island from Oak Bay. The Kickers showcased impressive teamwork, with quick hands and blistering speed contributing to their overwhelming performance.
Leading the charge was Cali McKay, who powered through the defense for an impressive four tries. Sophia Julien added three of her own, while Amelia Gallow, Sienna Stigant, and Natalie Nguyen each contributed two tries. Daris Forberg rounded off the scoring with a try of her own, showcasing the depth and versatility across the team. McKay was in top form, converting nine of the tries.
The women displayed exceptional skill, with quick hands and explosive speed propelling them across the pitch. It was a complete team performance that sets a strong tone for the rest of the season. With this victory, the team also retains the Gudmundseth Shield which is only defended on home field against other Vancouver Island teams.
Captain Dara DeMarce said, “We came out strong and utilized the game plan we’ve been practicing. It’s a great way to start the season, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team’s effort. We’re excited to keep this momentum going.”
Meanwhile, the Comox Valley Kickers men’s team faced a challenging rematch on the road against James Bay Athletic Association (JBAA). This time, the Kickers showed significant improvement, despite falling short with a score of 22-55. Tries came from Brandon Hudson, Andy Hextall, Jesse Ramsay, and Nick Gilmour with Kyle Hall adding one conversion.
Though the final scoreline was not in their favor, the team exhibited greater cohesion and a stronger performance overall, signaling growth and development as they move forward in the season.
Captain Brandon Hudson said, “We fought hard and made some big improvements from our first match. The score doesn’t reflect how close the game was for most of the time, but running low on subs really hurt us in the last 20 minutes. I’m proud of the effort the team put in—we’re getting better every game, and we’ll keep pushing forward.”
Both teams have plenty to build on as the season unfolds, with the women off to an electrifying start and the men poised to make further strides. There is a league wide bye next week for Thanksgiving. The women are back in action at home on October 19 vs. Westshore; the men have a scheduled bye.
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.