Match Results - Saturday February 4, 2023

Capilano 0 - 50 Burnaby Lake (2nd Div Men
Capilano 32 - 22 Kelowna (2nd Div Women)
Capilano 26 - 29 UBCOB Ravens (Prem Reserve Men)
Capilano 18 vs 27 UBCOB Ravens (Prem Men)

Match Report - Saturday February 4, 2023
Written by: Heather Muir

Women’s Mainland Division 2 vs. Kelowna

The first Club Day of 2023 saw the 2nd Division women take on the Kelowna Crows in what proved to be a huge battle and excellent display of rugby from each side. Both teams showed tremendous endurance to maintain a high-energy and thrilling game of 10s (which turned into 9s at the half) for 60mins.

The first period of play saw the Kelowna side pin Capilano into their end for almost the entire 20min of play. The home team put up a huge fight on their try line and worked tirelessly back and forth across the field to keep their opposition at bay. However, Kelowna’s strong runners managed to work an overlap out wide and run in two tries to bring the score to 0-10 at the first break.

The Capilano side took matters into their own hands going into the second period. Coming out of the break refreshed and with a new level of determination, the team went to work immediately. Forwards and backs alike took the ball on at pace and worked through the phases to bring the ball deep inside the Kelowna 22m. Their patience paid off at last when #3 Madison Arbuckle crashed through the defense on one of their trademark charges to dot the ball down over the line and bring the score up to 5-10.

The home team’s second try came soon afterwards as the Capilano forwards and backs again worked their way up the field from the kick-off, maintaining possession and biding their time until a gap appeared. This time a space opened on the wing and stand-out impact player Charlotte “Chuck” Ketchen held the defender for a perfectly timed draw and pass to put #15 Leonie Lartey into space and over the line to bring the home side even at 10-10.

Kelowna fought back quickly and soon broke the defensive line on a strong run before the supporting runner snatched the offload and ran in to bring the score to 10-15 for the visitors. But this lead didn’t last long as the Capilano side pushed back with a calm consistency across the entire roster – a theme which was evident throughout the entire game. Several phases of team play, and a big run from Chuck Ketchen drew in the defense and allowed #3 Maddie Arbuckle to charge up the sideline and across the line on a great prop vs. winger matchup. Although unfortunately injured in the play, Arbuckle lead from the front the entire time they were on the pitch and put the Capilano side in a good position with a score of 15-15 coming into the last few minutes of the period.

Capilano went to work again and although pinned into their own end, the side didn’t lose composure for a moment. A big kick from impact Victoria Waud put the ball into the Kelowna 22m before a stellar chase from #5 Allison Horne and #10 Shelby Slay trapped the Kelowna defender in their own end. A brilliant chase tackle from Shelby Slay forced a knock on which was immediately scooped up by Allison Horne – in only their second ever rugby game – and offloaded to the flash of bright boots that was Abby Gilson coming in at top speed to finish a beautifully executed moment of rugby and put the home team ahead at 20-15.

The visiting side was ready to make this a battle to the end however, and just as time ran out on the second period of play a deep kick put the ball into the Capilano end and the speedy Kelowna backs were able to chase the ball down and gather it for the go ahead try. Conversion from Kelowna was good, and the two teams went into the break with the Crows narrowly ahead at 20-22.

Both teams came out firing with all to play for in the third and final period of action. The Capilano side managed the game impressively with huge spurts of energy from newcomer Ruth Sherlock, who bounced around the field like the energizer bunny making endless tackles and runs throughout the game, and calm, measured decision making from a seamless 9-10-12 combination of Mel Hope, Victoria Waud, and Shelby Slay.

The relentless flow of rugby from the home team paid off soon after with one of the tries of the game as Chuck Ketchen and Allison Horne combined on some big runs to bring Capilano into the visitor’s side before the ball went wide into the hands of #15 Leonie Lartey. The outside back took the ball on at pace and fixed their defender perfectly before sending the ball wide to a looping #10 Shelby Slay who connected with the pass in stride, fended off the last-ditch tackler, and scored the go-ahead try with their trademark calm determination. Important conversion was good from Victoria Waud and the home side took the lead at 27-22.

The last few minutes of play left the spectators with their hearts in their mouths as both sides surged again and again in an attempt to take or maintain the lead before the final whistle. The Capilano players took on the challenge wholeheartedly with an incredible display of well-worked rugby and selfless teamwork. The home team put their final mark on what was a thrilling game of rugby at the final whistle when the ball went out to Shelby Slay as the clock ticked over into red and the Captain charged up field before sending the ball sailing out to a flying Chuck Ketchen who raced away to put the game out of reach of the Crows. The final whistle was greeted with huge cheers from the field and sidelines alike as the Capilano side took the well-earned W with a final score of 32-22.

Players of the Match were Maddie Arbuckle who took the honour for a well-deserved second week in a row with two tries and innumerable runs in the game, and Charlotte “Chuck” Ketchen who also ran in a brace in the game and made several try saving defensive plays to keep the home side in the lead! Player’s player was a shared award this weekend between Ruth Sherlock who made a huge offensive and defensive impact in their first game as a Capilano and team Captain Shelby Slay who worked tirelessly in the backs to move the ball to space as well as dotting down a well-deserved score of their own. Huge thank you to the Kelowna Crows for making the long trek down and giving us one of the most exciting games of the season so far! Big thank you also to our side-line medical staff, game-day volunteers, and all the supporters who cheered the team to a wonderful victory.

BC Rugby Hall of Fame
BC Rugby recently announced the 2022 Hall of Fame Class. The 2022 Inductees will be celebrated at the 2023 BC Rugby Hall of Fame Ceremony, slated for June 2023, alongside the 2023 Inductees. This will mark the first BC Rugby Hall of Fame Event since 2020. There was no ceremony in 2021 due to the global pandemic.

Nominations have been extended for the 2023 BC Rugby Hall of Fame. Nominations for induction into the BC Rugby Hall of Fame “Class of 2023” will be accepted until 11:59pm on Friday, March 31, 2023, before being presented to the BC Rugby Hall of Fame Selection Committee for deliberation. More information on how to nominate can be found by clicking here.