Terrace Northmen celebrated its first double Championship victory as the hosts claimed both the 2024 Men’s and Women’s Saratoga Cups following an action-packed weekend of Rugby in sunny Terrace, BC.
This year’s event marked the biggest Saratoga Cup event ever and saw four teams battle it out across both Men’s and Women’s Championships, attracting big crowds at Coast Mountain College for an epic weekend of pulsating Rugby to close out BC Rugby’s Northern and Interior League seasons.
Terrace completed a historic double in front of their home crowd as the Northmen defeated defending champions Rocky Mountain Rogues 38-18 to lift the Men’s Saratoga Cup, while the Northmen Women’s side beat the Rogues 31-5 to be crowned Women’s Saratoga Cup champions.
The year’s edition also saw Price Rupert Seamen and Penticton Harlequins make their Saratoga Cup debuts, a testament to the fantastic work being done to grow Men’s, Women’s and Youth programs throughout our Northern and Interior Leagues.
Thanks to the incredible support of Canadian Jumpstart Charities, Terrace hosted its first ever Try Rugby session on Saturday that saw 25 kids come and experience our sport for the first time. These events are not just about celebrating the best of Senior Rugby in the North and Interior, but also fostering the next generation of talent. Thank you, Jumpstart!
BC Rugby would like to thank all athletes, Coaches, Officials, Managers, staff, therapists and volunteers from Terrace, Prince Rupert, Rocky Mountain Rogues and Penticton Harlequins. Thank you to Terrace Northmen for being incredible hosts!
Below is a recap for this past weekend’s action. We will be releasing a 2024 Saratoga Cup Photo Gallery this week.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia and Canadian Tire Jumpstart.
MEN’S SARTOGA CUP RECAP
FINAL: Terrace Northmen 38-18 Rocky Mountain Rogues
Terrace Northmen ended the Rocky Mountain Rogues’ quest for a fourth-straight Saratoga Cup Championship with an impressive 38-18 win over their Cranbrook rivals. The Rogues defeated Terrace in the semi-finals in 2023, but this time it was the Northmen that that finished victorious following a physical, intense final of Championship Rugby.
The Northmen claimed first blood with an early converted try, before the Rogues hit back with a penalty. The Northmen then scored a second converted try, the Rogues again answering with a penalty, as the hosts led 14-6 at the break.
The Northmen turned on the afterburners in the second half as they raced into a 38-6 lead without reply, before the Rogues hit back with two classy tries in the dying minutes of the game. However, the Northmen held firm to bring the Saratoga Cup trophy to Terrace for another year at least.
THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF: Prince Rupert 17-12 Penticton Harlequins
Prince Rupert Seamen claimed third place on their Saratoga Cup debut with a 17-12 victory over Penticton Harlequins after an intense playoff on Sunday. The Harlequins crossed over for the first try before the Seamen hit back to level up at 5-5 at the break.
The Seamen inched ahead with a try from a rolling maul, before Harlequins finished a smart move and converted for a 12-10 lead. However, the Seamen saw their late pressure pay off with a well taken try, later converted, to seal a well-fought victory.
SEMI-FINAL 1: Rocky Mountain Rogues 29-14 Prince Rupert Seamen
The Rocky Mountain Rogues ensured their fourth consecutive Saratoga Cup Final appearance with a 29-14 win over the Prince Rupert Seamen. The Rogues were quick out of the blocks, racing into a three-try lead, before the Seamen kicked into gear and reduced the deficit to 19-14.
However, the Rogues found another level to break through and score their fourth try, with a conversion and penalty sealing victory late on.
SEMI-FINAL 2: Terrace Northmen 39-0 Penticton Harlequins
Terrace Northmen secured their spot in the Saratoga Cup Final with 39-0 win over the Penticton Harlequins. The hosts raced out of the blocks with three well taken tries to lead 17-0 at the break.
Despite some tough, spirited Harlequins defence in the second half, the hosts proved too strong in depth for their opponents and scored four further tries in the second half to claim victory.
WOMEN’S SARATOGA CUP RECAP
FINAL: Terrace Northmen 31-5 Rocky Mountain Rogues
Terrace Northmen secured its first ever Women’s Saratoga Cup victory with a fantastic performance to defeat the Rocky Mountain Rogues 31-5 in front of a huge crowd.
The Northmen raced out of the blocks with three quick breaks to cross over for a 19-0 lead over their opponents at half-time.
Despite testing conditions in the heat, Terrace brought the energy in the second half with a flurry of attacks before the Rogues finally broke through for their first score of the game. However, this Terrace team proved too strong on home soil and the Northmen Women’s team joyfully celebrated the first Championship of a historic double at the final whistle.
THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF: Prince Rupert Sirens 19-7 Penticton Harlequins
The Prince Rupert Sirens capped off an impressive Saratoga Cup debut with a third place finish thanks to a 19-7 win over Penticton Harlequins, who also scored their first ever Saratoga Cup points with the final play of the game!
The Sirens scored three excellent tries in the first half to lead 19-0 at the break, before the Harlequins showed incredible spirit to keep Prince Rupert at bay in the second half.
In the closing minutes, Penticton thought they had scored their first points only to be denied on the line. However, the Harlequins kept the pressure on and were finally rewarded for their hard work with a powerful try over the line in the last play of the match.
SEMI-FINAL 1: Terrace 36-0 Harlequins
Terrace Northmen secured its spot in the Women’s Saratoga Cup Final with a pulsating 39-0 victory over the Penticton Harlequins.
The hosts’ pace was too much for the Harlequins, with Terrace showing excellent prowess to score impressive breakaway tries for a 26-0 lead at the break. The scoreline gave the Northmen the chance to mix things up in the second half, with their substitutes adding gloss to an impressive performance.
SEMI-FINAL 2: Rocky Mountain Rogues 17-14 Prince Rupert Sirens
In the game of the day, the Rocky Mountain Rogues booked their spot in the Women’s Saratoga Cup Final with a pulsating 17-14 victory over Prince Rupert Sirens in front of a raucous crowd.
The Rogues raced into a 12-0 lead with two quick breakaway tries, before the Sirens hit back with an impressive offload and try to reduce the deficit to 12-7 at the break. Rogues inched ahead with a try in the second half before Sirens made a period of late pressure count to move within three points. However, the Rogues defence held firm for the win in this Saratoga Cup classic.
ROUND ROBIN RECAP
Three teams finished Saturday’s Women’s Saratoga Cup action with two victories and one defeat from their respective Round Robin matches following a fantastic day of Rugby.
The Rocky Mountain Rogues kicked off Saturday’s 7s action with a 24-10 victory over the Prince Rupert Sirens, with both teams battling hard in the heat.
Hosts Terrace RFC kicked off their campaign with a strong showing, defeating newcomers Penticton Harlequins 40-0 to stake their claim for Saratoga Cup glory.
The Sirens then defeated Harlequins 36-0 for their first win of the tournament, showcasing some fast and free-flowing 7s Rugby.
Northmen and the Rogues battled out a fantastic game in front of a packed crowd, with the hosts edging a tight contest 19-15.
However, the Sirens produced a scintillating performance to down the Terrace team 24-22 in a Saratoga Cup classic, before the Rogues finished out the day with a 39-0 win over Penticton Harlequins. Results meant that Terrace took top seeding with the Rogues at No. 2, Prince Rupert at No. 3 and Harlequins at No. 4.
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