From the Directors Desk
UBC Rugby Newsletter - October 30, 2013
On The Field
The UBC U20 team took a lean squad down to South Surrey to take on the University of Western Washington. They were a little slow out of the gate but eventually found their stride and put up a twelve try performance from the forwards and backs, coming away with a 64-0 result. Forwards Joaquim Speidel, Loet Huisintveld (Brentwood), Dax Moir (Elgin Park), Connor Bevington (Ontario) and Adrian Heieis (Carson Graham) each accounted for a try while Charlie Fuller (McRoberts), Ben Le Sage (Dr. E.P. Scarlett), Terry Lok (McRoberts), Wyland Milbourne (Greenwood College), Spencer Soltan (Shawnigan) and Spencer Loughlin (Yale Secondary) , who crossed twice, finished the scoring from the backfield. Fuller was good on two conversions.
The rest of our matches were here at UBC and the Totems started the day off at 11:30 am hosting the Burnaby Rugby Club. The Totes went down on the day with a 22-0 result but they must be commended on their effort on the day. Vastly outsized they worked relentlessly throughout the 80 minutes competing in all phases. They had numerous opportunities to put one over but a misplaced pass or dropped ball here and there were their nemesis on the day. Patrick Pascal had an outstanding game in the trenches, Anton Belozerov was big in the lineout and the back row of Justin Hahn, Michael Wu and Tim Ward were very active in the loose play. This was a much improved performance from the week previously.
The Braves started quickly, like a blink of an eye, as captain Mike O’Toole (Seaquam) scored from the opening kickoff. The Braves did the exactly the same thing for the next two kickoffs and the Braves were up by three converted tries before you could change your underwear! O’Toole accounted for three tries as did Cully Quirke (West Van) while Liam Murphy-Burke (Semiahmoo) provided a brace of tries along with eight conversions. Individual tries from Adam Webster (McRoberts), Rafael Malcolm (Moscrop), Gabe Grzybowski (Glenlyon Norfolk) and Manar Kulkhan (Port Moody) rounded out the scoring on the day leading to an 81-10 result.
The Birds KO at 2:30 pm and followed the same game plan as the Braves. James Thompson (Dromore High School) and Nate Rees (Porth County) scored three tries apiece while Sean Ferguson (Brentwood) and Quinton Willms (Earl Marriott) accounted for two each. Jorden Best (Robert Bateman), Cam Graham (Merritt Secondary), Rob Fenton (St. Georges) and Captain, Charlie Thorpe (Vancouver College) each added single scores. Brock Staller (Kitsilano) added six conversions. After the game, yours truly, their coach and the referee all had different scores for the game so we averaged the three different scores and came up with 78-0 result.
Down The Road
Saturday November 2nd
UBC U20 @ Capilano 10:00am KO
UBC Totems @ Kats 1:00pm KO
United RFC @ UBC Braves 1:00pm KO
United RFC @ UBC Birds 2:30pm KO
Clubhouse open for refreshments 4-6pm, November 2nd
Off The Field
Alumni opportunities
UVIC
November 9, 2013 sees UBC kickoff the Boot Series against UVic. Our team is one of the strongest in years and the boys have a very good chance of returning the Boot to the Mainland. All interested parties currently living on the Island or looking to see two of the best varsity programs in North America going head to head are invited to venture over to Wallace Field on the University of Victoria campus to watch the game.
Las Vegas
The IRB 7s tour is making its only North American stop on January 24-26 in Las Vegas. For the first time UBC will be sending a team down to compete in the college division and we would like to have all of you join the team down there. Two packages containing specials on entertainment and accommodation are currently being put together and more information will be available shortly.
California
February 2014 will see the World Cup kick off in Berkeley. A small and dedicated fan base have made the trip down to San Francisco in the past years and the UBC rugby program would like to expand upon this. We invite you to come down on the 15th of February for the 1:00 pm kickoff. Our alumni and parent group will be organizing the UBC Tailgate party before and after the game. We plan on not only winning the game on the field but also putting on the best tailgate in the lot! We look forward to seeing you cheer on the Birds and soak up some California sun.
Sincerely Spence McTavish Director of UBC Rugby