Pitbull(s) made an appearance post-game!
The Comox Valley Kickers closed out the regular season with a mixed bag of results on Saturday at May Bennett Pioneer Park, as the women’s side capped an undefeated campaign with a 39–10 victory, while the men’s team endured a difficult 90–0 loss.
In the opening match of the doubleheader, the Kickers women showcased both resilience and attacking flair, overcoming a determined Nanaimo side in a game defined by momentum swings and physical play. Despite periods of back-and-forth action, the Kickers were able to capitalize on key opportunities to pull ahead on the scoreboard.
Cali McKay led the charge with a standout performance, crossing the try line three times and adding two conversions. She was supported by Novah Burley and Amelia Gallow, who each recorded two tries to round out the scoring. While the final margin reflected a comfortable win, the match itself told a more nuanced story.
The Kickers demonstrated the ability to string together strong attacking phases, but untimely handling errors at crucial moments left points on the field. With cleaner execution, the scoreline could have been even more decisive.
Nevertheless, the result secured a perfect regular season for the women, who now turn their attention to the postseason. Quarterfinal action is set to begin April 25, though their opponent will not be determined until the conclusion of next weekend’s makeup fixtures.
The men’s side faced a formidable challenge in the second match, coming up against a Nanaimo team that controlled the game from start to finish. The Kickers struggled to contain Nanaimo’s pace and precision, conceding early and often in a one-sided affair.
Despite their efforts, the visitors were unable to gain a foothold, with Nanaimo executing effectively across all facets of the game. The 90–0 result reflected the gap on the day, as the Kickers were outmatched.
While the margin in the loss is unfortunate, the season still marks a step forward for the squad. In just their second year competing at the Division 1 level, the team showed measurable growth compared to last season, laying a foundation to build on moving forward.
The men will wrap up their campaign next weekend with a makeup game on the road against the UVic Vikes in Victoria.
As the women prepare for a playoff push and the men look to close out their season on a positive note, the Kickers organization continues to demonstrate progress and promise across both programs.
The Comox Valley Kickers practice Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30–8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Village Park, unless otherwise mentioned via their social media platforms. New players are always welcome — no experience required.
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.