Comox Valley Record staff
The Comox Valley Kickers women picked up where they left off before the break. The men? Not so much.
The adult rugby season resumed for both Kickers teams on Feb. 3, as the squads travelled to Chilliwack to face the Crusaders.
The women improved their record to 4-0-1 with a 68-0 victory, while the men lost 58-5, dropping their record to three wins one tie and two losses.
The women鈥檚 team dominated from the outset.
Lauren Sargent and Danelle Campbell notched an impressive three tries each, showcasing their exceptional attacking skills and knack for finding the try line. Close on their heels, Cali McKay and Tyra Schaad had two tries apiece, contributing significantly to the Kickers鈥� offensive efforts. Adding to the scoreboard were Jess Nikkel and Erin Rautenberg with a try each with Sargent and McKay having two successful conversions each.
This game highlighted the team鈥檚 well-rounded offensive strategy, utilizing the strength of the forward pack and the speed of the backs.
鈥淚t was a great way to start the (winter) season,鈥� said coach JB Nikkel. 鈥淥ur women played with energy, heart, and determination. They executed the game plan, and it鈥檚 due to the hard work they鈥檝e been putting in at training. We are building something special here, and this win is just the beginning. We need to keep this momentum going forward.鈥�
The Kickers sit second overall in Division 2, behind only the 6-0-0 James Bay AA squad, who handed the Kickers their only defeat of the season, back in October.
The men had a tough game in Chilliwack, as the Crusaders avenged last year鈥檚 playoff loss to the Comox Valley side.
Stephen Hextall scored the lone try for the Kickers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough loss, and we鈥檒l need to regroup and analyze what went wrong,鈥� said captain Brandon Hudson. Every defeat is a lesson, and we鈥檒l use this experience to come back stronger in the upcoming matches.鈥�
The men sit in ninth place in the 18-team Division 3.
The Kickers will host a doubleheader on Feb. 10 at Cumberland Village Park, as the women battle James Bay AA, and the men face the Vancouver Rogues
