Rugby fans enjoyed a full day of action on Saturday at Cumberland Village Park, as both the Comox Valley Kickers teams were in action.
The women took to the pitch first, and had a fantastic match against the James Bay Athletic Association (JBAA), in what was a contest between the top two teams in the Second Division.
JBAA (7-0) won the game 17-15, handing the 4-0-2 Kickers their second loss of the season. Both losses have come against JBAA.
Comox Valley tries were scored by Ava Perkins, Sienna Stigant, and Cali McKay. It was a back-and-forth game with neither team willing to concede ground easily. Tackles were fierce, runs were powerful, and every point was hard-earned. As the clock ticked down, the tension in the air was palpable, with supporters holding their breath.
Despite their best efforts, the Comox Valley Kickers Women narrowly missed out on victory, falling short by just two points with a final score of 15-17.
鈥淭hough the result was not in our favour, it was a great game of rugby,鈥� said Kickers coach JB Nikkel. 鈥淲e will continue to work on our extras and focus on our system and structure. This is just a minor setback, and we will continue to move forward.鈥�
Kickers men dominate
The men faced the Meraloma (Vancouver) Rogues in the second half of the doubleheader and sent their fans home happy, with an 86-0 victory.
With each possession, the Kickers executed flawlessly, easily manoeuvring past their opponents. Their offensive prowess was unmatched as they relentlessly drove towards the try line. Among the standout performers were Trent Johnson, Cody Steeves, Nick Fielding, Ryan Beauchamp, and Derek McCubbin, with two tries apiece. Kai Mills, Devon Moore, James Dubois and Jimmy Brazier added single tries, and Fielding kicked eight converts. On defence, the Kickers were equally formidable, shutting down any attempts by the opposing team to gain ground.
Coach Dan Mills said a strong response was crucial for the men after losing 53-5 to Chilliwack the previous week.
鈥淎fter the disappointment of our previous match, today鈥檚 bounce-back game was exactly what the men needed. This lopsided victory is a confidence booster for us moving forward, but we remain humble and focused on continuously improving,鈥� said Mills.
The men improved to seventh overall in the 18-team Second Division with a 4-1-2 record.
The men are back in action this Saturday, Feb. 17, hosting the 1-5 Nanaimo Hornets at Cumberland Village Park. Kick-off is at 1 p.m. The women have a bye.
Play with us!
The Comox Valley Kickers RFC is continually recruiting players. No experience is necessary. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at Cumberland Village Park. For more information, visit .
