The 2022 BC Rugby Senior Club Finals line-up has been confirmed – congratulations to all teams that will compete at South Surrey Athletic Park on May 7!
Following a bumper weekend of semi-final action, the provincial championship matches for all seven BC Rugby Senior Club leagues have been set with Finals taking place at South Surrey Athletic Park.
The BC Rugby Men’s Premier League final, sponsored by Onni, will be contested by UBC Thunderbirds and Castaway Wanderers with the winners gaining the privilege of hoisting the Rounsefell Cup. For the first time ever, the Women’s Premier League final will mirror the Men’s match-up with the Thunderbirds and Castaway Wanderers Women’s Teams securing their places in the Finals.
Women’s Premier League
Confirmed Final:
#1 Vancouver Thunderbirds vs. #2 Castaway Wanderers
Vancouver Thunderbirds and Castaway Wanderers will be vying for the Gordon Harris Memorial Cup which was first (unofficially) awarded to the Jericho Old Girls in 1982. The first official winners were Simon Fraser University in 1984.
This year’s final is perfectly poised with both sides having enjoyed one victory each in their two regular season matches against each other.
Wanderers secured a 53-17 victory over the Thunderbirds at Windsor Park in Week 2 of the season, before the Thunderbirds responded with a 67-21 win at Gerald McGavin Centre in March.
Men’s Premier League, Sponsored By Onni
Confirmed Final:
#1 UBC Thunderbirds vs. #3 Castaway Wanderers
UBC Thunderbirds and Castaway Wanderers will go head-to-head for victory of the Men’s Premier League, sponsored by Onni, and the prestigious Rounsefell Cup.
With UBC Thunderbirds and Castaway Wanderers not meeting in a regular season match, their May 7th final is sure to be a refreshing and thrilling game for these two dominant teams.
While no one will be surprised to see the Thunderbirds take their place in the Finals, Castaway Wanderers took their fight to the home of 2019 reigning Premier League Champions, UBCOB Ravens. Castaway Wanderers ultimately outscored the Ravens, four tries to three, and will need to bring that pace again if they’re to get close to UBC who cruised to a 48 to 13 win over Capilano RFC.
Men’s Division 1
Confirmed Final:
#1 Bayside vs. #2 UBCOB Ravens
This Final is set to be an entertaining one, with these sides not having met in this shortened season. While Bayside comes through as the top seed, UBCOB Ravens have picked up the pace in their last few matches including their 45 to 31 win over Abbotsford in the semi-finals.
Adding further interest, the last time that the Provincial Championships were held in 2019, both of these Teams won their respective Divisions with UBCOB Ravens reigning Premier Reserve Champions and Bayside reigning Division 1 Championship. With these two divisions merged in 2022, we look forward to observing an exciting Final.
Women’s Division 1
Confirmed Final:
#1 Cowichan vs. #2 Burnaby Lake
Cowichan will come into the Women’s Division 1 as favourites after winning all their season games, but Burnaby played a strong semi-final match against Bayside to show that they will be doing everything they can to reverse the regular season 39 to 50 result to Cowichan.
A previous Women’s Premiership side, Cowichan played a dominating semi-final against Meralomas, winning 41 to 5.
Men’s Division 2
Confirmed Final:
#1 Axemen vs. #2 Surrey Beaves RFC
The team from Squamish will be favoured having won a regular season match against Surrey Beavers by a handy 20 points, but both teams only incurred two losses over the regular season.
In their semi-final, the Axemen hosted United in the shadow of the Chief and ran in 8 tries to United’s one try. Meanwhile, Surrey Beavers had to work hard to earn their spot in their semi-final match against Scribes RFC. Both teams crossed over for four tries a piece, but it came down to the boot with Surrey Beavers 26 and Scribes 23.
Women’s Division 2
Confirmed Final:
#1 Langley vs. #2 Vancouver Rowing Club
Another League where the top two Teams have made it through the playoffs, and yet, Langley will be the favourites to win after securing a comfortable 46 to 15 win over the Rowers in the regular season.
That being said, Rowers played a great match in their semi-final running in 8 tries to Nanaimo Hornets’ two. Whatever the result of the Final, it will mark a successful return of Women’s Division 2 Rugby, which included two new Women’s Teams from Chilliwack and JBAA, and an average of 67 points scored per match fairly evenly shared.
Men’s Division 3
Confirmed Final:
#1 Bayside RFC vs. #3 Kats RFC
Bayside have not dropped a match this season and look like they are in pole position to conclude the season by hoisting a trophy. However, they had to work hard to make it to the final, going toe-to-toe with Meralomas in a tight semi-final. Both teams ran over two tries a piece but Bayside were the better side with the boot, closing out the match 21 to 18.
Meanwhile, Kats RFC were in a similar contest with 7th seed Burnaby. Again, both sides ran in three tries but it was Kats who were able to sneak it home, winning 24 to 21.
Kats and Bayside will meet for the first time in the Final taking place Saturday, May 7 at Bayside’s home fields of South Surrey Athletic Park.
Celebrate the Return of BC Rugby’s Senior Club Finals!
Come and celebrate the return of Senior Club Rugby at the 2022 BC Rugby Senior Club Finals, taking place at South Surrey Athletic Park on May 7!
Entry is just $10 for people aged 19+ and Under-19s get in free! Bring your family and friends and enjoy a fantastic day of Rugby in beautiful surroundings.
Food, drinks and merchandise will be available to buy on site – grab your refreshments, take your spot on the bleachers and soak up the atmosphere as our Championship matches are decided!
2022 BC Rugby Senior Club Finals
Date: Saturday May 7, 2022
Time: 10:30am – 7:00pm
Location: South Surrey Athletic Park, (1925 148th Street, Surrey BC – Fields 1 & 2)
Parking: Available for free at 1925 148th Street
Entry Fee: $10 for 19+, under-19s go free
The City of Surrey resides on the traditional territories of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen First Nations.