Kickers Women Stay Undefeated; Men Fall Short in Beaufort Cup Clash

Mar 1, 2026

The Comox Valley Kickers RFC women’s side continued their dominant campaign with a hard-fought 46–19 victory over James Bay Athletic Association (JBAA) at MacDonald Park on a bright, sunny afternoon.

In what proved to be one of their toughest tests of the season, the Kickers maintained their undefeated record in a fiercely contested match marked by strong defensive play and heavy contact. Momentum swung back and forth throughout the game, with turnovers ultimately proving decisive as the Kickers capitalized on key opportunities.

Sophia Julien led the offensive charge with four tries, while Cali McKay added two tries and three successful conversions. Lily Hart and Natalie Nguyen each crossed the line once to round out the scoring.

Despite the final margin, the game remained competitive for long stretches. The physical contest showcased two well-matched sides, with defensive pressure dictating much of the play and forcing errors on both sides. The Kickers’ ability to convert turnovers into points ultimately separated the teams on the scoreboard.

With the victory, the Kickers move atop the Division 1 standings and look well-positioned to finish the regular season strong.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The Kickers men’s team hosted the Port Alberni Black Sheep in a spirited contest but came up short in a 49–38 loss.

The Beaufort Cup — a trophy that can only be claimed by defeating the defending holders on their home field — now returns to Port Alberni following the Black Sheep’s victory.

The match was a high-octane and emotional contest featuring sustained physicality from kickoff to the final whistle. Both sides generated points in bunches in an open, attacking style of play. Nick Gilmour led the Kickers with two tries, while Will Perry, Stephen Hextall, Ronan Cahill, and Ryan Beauchamp each added one. Kyle Hall contributed four successful conversions.

Despite the strong offensive output, periods of undisciplined play proved costly for the Kickers. Yellow cards forced the home side to play shorthanded for stretches of the match, limiting their ability to close the gap on the scoreboard.

While the Kickers continued to push late into the match, the Black Sheep maintained their advantage to secure the win and reclaim the Beaufort Cup.

                                                                                                                                                                                                     

There is a league-wide bye next weekend as teams take a scheduled break for the HSBC SVNS stop in Vancouver.

The Kickers men return to action March 14 when they host James Bay, while the women have a scheduled bye.

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.