Under blustery skies and a stiff crosswind at Windsor Park, the Comox Valley Kickers split their doubleheader Saturday against the Castaway Wanderers (“CW”), with the women delivering a statement 87–0 victory before the men fell 40–12 in a hard-fought afternoon contest.
Environment Canada’s wind warning set the tone early, as swirling gusts made handling and territorial kicking a challenge for both sides.
Women Find Their Stride in Statement Win
The Kickers women kicked off at 11:15 a.m. and weathered an early storm — both literal and figurative. Pinned deep in their own half for the opening five minutes, the visitors found themselves on their heels as Castaway Wanderers pressed hard.
But once out of danger, the Kickers flipped the switch.
From that point on, the Comox Valley side played with pace and precision, stretching the CW defence wide and exploiting space at every opportunity. Amelia Gallow led the charge with a remarkable six-try performance, slicing through the defence with clinical efficiency. Natalie Nguyen and Sarah Banks each crossed the line twice, as did Cali McKay, who also added six conversions in a polished display off the tee despite the gusting wind.
Lily Hart, Kristin Johnson, and Sophie Slakov each added singles to round out the scoring in what became a dominant all-around effort. The forwards established a steady platform up front, while the backs capitalized with fluid support play and quick ball movement that left the hosts scrambling.
By the final whistle, the Kickers had turned a tense opening into a runaway result — a testament to their composure and depth.
Men Stumble After Tight First Half
The men’s match kicked off at 12:45 p.m., and unlike the earlier contest, defences ruled the opening half. The wind played havoc with tactical kicks, and both sides struggled to convert territory into points in a scoreless first 40 minutes.
CW broke the deadlock early in the second half, punching in the opening try. The Kickers responded with determination, answering back through Kai Mills to keep the contest within reach. Joe Wright later added a second try, with Kyle Hall slotting one conversion.
However, momentum swung sharply midway through the second half as CW capitalized on quick ball and field position to score five unanswered tries in rapid succession. The burst put the game out of reach, and despite continued effort from the Kickers, the home side closed out a 40–12 victory.
Looking Ahead
The split results leave both squads with clear takeaways as they turn their attention to next week’s fixtures. The women will look to build on their dominant form as they travel to face James Bay Athletic Association, while the men return home to host Port Alberni Black Sheep.
If Saturday proved anything, it’s that even in challenging conditions, the Kickers women are a force to be reckoned with — and the men will be eager to rebound on home turf.
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.
