Congratulations to University of Victoria Vikes on claiming their fourth-straight Canada West Rugby 7s Series Championship title!
Vikes defeated UBC Thunderbirds 19-10 in Sunday’s gold-medal match at Vancouver’s Thunderbird Stadium to stay perfect for a second successive season, finishing with a 15-0 record in the 2022 7s season.
“All credit to UBC, they’re a quality side and we knew that they’d come out strong on their home turf,” said UVic head coach Brittany Waters. “We knew it wouldn’t be an easy game. It was an excellent final – not just to this tournament, but the series in general and it showcased some excellent Rugby all around.”
Waters added: “I want to give a special shout out to our athletes who kept going and stuck to our game plan. They fought through the whole 14 minutes, and we had a big team effort from everybody. I’m proud of their commitment to the program and the amount of training and work they put in this season.”
UBC Thunderbirds Clinch Silver
With Sunday’s gold medal victory at UBC, Vikes finish the 7s season having claimed top spot at all three Canada West Rugby 7s Series events.
It marks their second straight unbeaten season after the Vikes finished 2020 with a 15-0 record.
Meanwhile, hosts Thunderbirds settled for silver in their home event.
“Two good teams giving all they’ve got out there,” said UBC head coach Dean Murten. “I just think unfortunately in this contest we didn’t have the strength and depth, UVic have got a good strong program, they’ve got all their players fit and healthy and just a bit more composure when they’ve got the ball, they don’t panic. They played a really quality game and no panic, no stress and trusted each other.”
Murten added: “We now know that this is no longer an exhibition sport. It’s a sanctioned Canada West competition which is really good to see. UBC did a great job hosting and the quality of the Rugby was excellent especially as we came into the championship final, so it was a great event and will only get stronger in years to come.”
TWU Spartans finished sixth overall, posting a 1-3-1 record, including a victory over Fraser Valley.
BC Rugby
A: 2015 Main Street, Vancouver, BC | V5T 0J8
T: 604.737.3065
E: info@bcrugby.com
BC Rugby gratefully acknowledges that its offices reside on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
Photo courtesy of Rich Lam/UBC Thunderbirds