Match Reports - March 11, 2023

Match Reports - March 11, 2023

Results - Saturday March 11
Capilano Men 5 at 38 Burnaby Men (2nd Division)
Bayside Women 0 at 20 Capilano Women (2nd Division)
Burnaby Women 34 at 10 Capilano Women (Premier)
Capilano Men 19 at 47 Burnaby Men (Prem Reserve)
Capilano Men 36 at 35 Burnaby Men (Premier)
Click here to view the full BC Rugby fixtures list

Women’s Division 2 vs. Bayside

The 2nd division women’s game was unfortunately called off as Bayside were unable to field a team. The Capilano players instead played a spirited inter-squad 7s match which displayed their skills, endurance, and commitment to getting game time in massively!

Women’s Premier Division vs. Burnaby

The long-awaited match up between mainland rivals Capilano and Burnaby Lake promised to be a hard-hitting and intense affair. Both sides are vying for tightly contested spots for April’s Premier league playoff bracket.

The game started off with ferocious tackling and battering runs from both sides. Neither team were able to find the try line throughout the first 15min, although possession changed frequently and both sides showed their determination early. Capilano #8 Teya Ashworth made their presence known early on with several crunching tackles and counter-rucks which sent the opposition flying.

Burnaby opened the scoring nearly at the half way mark of the first half, as their fullback cut an inside line 10m out and crossed the line just outside the posts. Conversion was good and extended their lead to 0-7. The visitors struck again soon afterwards as they kept the Capilano side pinned inside their 22m for several minutes before capitalizing on an overlap out side to score on the edge. Conversion this time was wide, and the score remained at 0-12.

The home side fought their way onto the scoreboard shortly after this as they gained possession quickly off the kick-off and worked their way down the field with several well controlled phases. The Capilano women worked tirelessly to edge into the opposition’s red zone before earning a penalty on the 5m line. Quick tap went out to #7 Gillian Boag who made their return to club rugby this match after a brilliant performance at the 2022 Rugby World Cup. Boag was brought down with only a few blades of grass between the ball and the try line, but #3 Tina Luti was tight in support and scooped up the ball to guide it those last few inches over the line for the home side’s first try of the game! Conversion was wide, and the score now sat at 5-12.

With a renewed burst of energy that was felt from the stands, the Capilano side pressed onwards with an impressive defensive play off the kick off to create a turnover and again possession. A huge, crashing line from #14 Suhad Mardikian took the black and gold into the Burnaby half. Several well-worked phases later, and the ball was sent into the hands of #12 Sarah Bill who barreled through two would-be cover tacklers as if they were made of paper and crossed the line for a try. Conversion was wide, and the score now stood at 10-19.

The half ended with several great phases of play from the Capilano side before a turnover put the ball into the visitors hands just inside their own half. Burnaby made no mistake with the opportunity and raced away with a converted try to widen their lead to 10-19 at the break.

The second half started the same way the first had, with phases and phases of strong defensive rugby from both sides as neither team were able to find the try line within the first 15min. Finally, Burnaby was awarded a penalty 10m out from the Capilano line, and with two defenders down with injury they were able to capitalize on the overlap for a try. Conversion was wide and the score was now 10-24.

A late comeback was not to be for the home side, as the Burnaby side raced away for two more tries before the final whistle for a final score of 10-34. However, the Capilano side did not falter on their efforts and put in strong tackles and counter rucks time and time again over the last 20 minutes of play.

Players of the Match were #6 Rachel Moloney whose consistency on defense and immovable support play on offense has made them an unsung hero of the premier side this season, and #9 Christina Burnham who controlled the game superbly for the full 80min while using their strength and experience to shut down the opposition’s attack again and again. This performance also earned the scrum half a well-deserved Player’s Player award. Big thank you to the Burnaby Lake team for making the trip over to us and for providing another battle of a match. Thank you also to our sideline medical staff, all the volunteers who make our home games happen, and to all the fans who came out to support!

Written by Heather Muir

Capilano at Burnaby Lake: 2nd Division and Premier Reserve

Burnaby Lake RFC has to be credited with a strong rugby program. In years gone by Capilano has had strong lower divisions to bolster their Premier side. In recent years following COVID, Caps have not been as fortunate with the exception of the Premier side that seems to be in every game win lose or draw. The lower divisions, to their credit continue to battle but they are often out muscled by other clubs. Today was no exception. Caps lost 38-5 in the 2nd Division game to Burnaby. Congratulations to Burnaby Lake and thanks to the referee.

The Premier Reserve Match: This game was won by Burnaby Lake 47-19. Caps fielded some very young and promising players today and this was perhaps their strongest lineup in the second half of the season. The game was close up to the 60 minute mark. Caps battled back from a 17 point deficit. They scored to make it 7-17 then scored again before half time to make it 14-17. They fought hard despite going backwards in the set scrums. In the second half Caps took the lead 19-17. The lead though was short lived as Burnaby, turned it on in the second half with a strong bench and scored several unanswered tries to win going away. Congratulations to Burnaby Lake and thanks to the game officials.


Written by John Langley

Premier Men
A typical blustery Saturday afternoon saw two old rivals duke it out in a game that had a bit of everything. Lots of scoring, big hits, ambitious passes, and a smattering of argy bargy. Burnaby and Capilano always manage to put on a show no matter where they are in the standings. This game had Burnaby victory written all over it but in the end, Capilano had a one point victory thanks in no small part to Mike Moloney's accuracy off the kicking tee.

Capilano got the first points of the game with a penalty kick and the last points of the game with a penalty kick. In between were five converted tries for the Lakers, four tries with two coverts and two more PK's for the Caps. Burnaby carried a 21-15 lead into the half but never took charge in the second half which allowed the Caps to fight their way back to eventual victory.

After the Cap PK right of the hop, Burnaby regained the ball and several phases later ended up with an overlap and a try. Burnaby won possession of the ball and after several minutes of hammering at the Cap goal line, the Lakers dotted down again to make it 14-3 Burnaby. Things looked bleak but the Caps started to control play and a line out followed by a maul had Caps # 8 Jordan Harvey cross the whitewash. 14-10 Burnaby. Burnaby cranked it up again and and scored under the posts to take a 21-10 lead. But again the Caps dug deep and with seconds left in the first half they stole the ball and Caps #4 Tim Manns broke some tackles and fell over the line. No convert so the score was 21-15 for Burnaby at the half.

The second half saw Caps #10 Mike Moloney pot a couple of PK's to tie the score 21-21. Burnaby pulled ahead again with their # 10 scoring to make it 28-21 for the Lakers. Not to be outdone Caps fought back yet again and Caps winger Matt Nicol scored on a nice pass from Caps # 6 Nick Pearce. No convert 28-26 for Burnaby. The back and forth continued as the Lakers scored again to make it 35-26 Burnaby. The Capilanos then took short and wide clearance kick and Caps #12 Johnny Franklin sprinted into the end zone for another Cap try. 35-33 Lakers.

At this point it was anybody's game. With only a few minutes left Caps got a shot with a PK and from a difficult angle Moloney cooly slotted it over to give the Caps a 36-35 lead. Burnaby had chance for the glory with a PK of their own but sailed it just wide. Whistle blows and the Caps win the game 36-35.

Players that caught my eye.
For Burnaby # 7 was a one man checking crew, he carried the ball very effectively all game. And the # 10 was distributing and kicking for field position very well also.
For the Caps # 4 Manns made himself known to a few Lakers until he had to be removed from the game. And # 10 Moloney was equal to his counterpart with his kicking and distribution skills.

A great game to watch and kudos to both teams
Thanks to Lakers and thanks to the ref!


Written by Steve Feenstra