What was scheduled to be a split-venue weekend for the Comox Valley Kickers turned into a doubleheader after heavy rainfall closed the field at Cumberland Village Park. The women’s home match was moved to Port Alberni, joining the men who were already slated to play there.
Despite the last-minute changes, the Kickers made the most of their unexpected road day — and delivered two dominant performances. A big thank you goes to the Port Alberni Black Sheep for their hospitality and to Castaway Wanderers (CW) for meeting the women’s team on neutral ground.
Women Cruise to Commanding 85–0 Victory
The Kickers women continued their strong start to the season with an overwhelming 85–0 win against CW. Right from the kickoff, the Kickers set the tempo with relentless pressure, fast ball movement, and aggressive defensive organization that left CW struggling to gain any foothold in the match. The forwards laid a strong platform with powerful carries and breakdown control, while the backs showcased speed and good ball-handling skills.
Try scorers included Monique Coffey (2), Cali McKay (2), Kristin Johnson (2), Sophia Julien (2), Sienna Stigant, Sarah Banks, Jill Banks, Jess Nikkel, and Natalie Nguyen. McKay delivered a standout performance from the tee as well, slotting 10 conversions.
Coach Pete Morton offered simple but powerful praise, saying, “The ladies put what we’ve been practicing into play, and it was great to see.”
Men Earn First Win of the Season
The men’s side followed with a landmark day of their own, earning their first victory of the season in an exciting 50–21 win over the Port Alberni Black Sheep.
Tries came from Devon Moore (2), Brandon Hudson, Craig Wiley, Nick Gilmour, Simon Crowe, Lachlan Kerr, and Justin Thomson, with Kyle Hall adding five conversions.
The Kickers built an early lead, but the Black Sheep kept the match competitive, applying pressure and pushing the Kickers’ defense deep into the second half. In the end, strong defensive stands and clinical finishing sealed the win for the Kickers.
Coach Tim Quek said, “I’m proud of the way the boys showed up today. We came out strong, stuck to our plan, and dug deep when the pressure came on. Port Alberni pushed us hard in that second half, but the lads held their ground and earned this win. It’s a step forward, and we’ll keep building from here.”
Despite the weather-driven venue changes, a strong showing of fans traveled to support the club, creating a lively atmosphere for the double-header and celebrating two great results for Kickers Rugby.
The Kickers men are back in action on November 8, when they host CW at Cumberland Village Park. The women have a bye.
Practices continue Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30–8:00 PM at Cumberland Village Park. New players welcome, no experience needed!
For more information about the club or to get involved, visit comoxvalleyrugby.ca, follow the Comox Valley Kickers Rugby Club on Facebook, or check out @cvkickersrugby on Instagram.