Here’s hoping Canada’s women can stay ahead of the curve.
The Canadian rugby team beat England 26-7 in the final to win the Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup in Dubai on Saturday.
It’s the first International Rugby Board-sanctioned sevens event for women, a stepping stone to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.
In the women’s 15s version of the game Canada has fared less successful, finishing fourth in 2002 and 2006, then sixth in 2010 at the past three Women’s Rugby World Cup tournaments.
But the Langford-based team, which featured two players from Saanich’s Velox Valkyries, Barbara Mervin and Jess Dovanne, was heavily lauded for their skill in all areas of the game.
In pool play the Canadians defeated Brazil 31-0, Spain 19-14 and Australia 14-7 before crunching U.S.A. 36-0 in the semifinal 36-0.
Canada’s Mandy Marchak, Cheryl Phillips, Ghislaine Landry and Ashley Steacy scored tries against England, with three conversions from Jen Kish.
Castaway-Wanderers capped in U19 final
The Capilano rugby club ended a perfect season with a handy win over the Castaway-Wanderers 46-5 in the men’s under-19 provincial final in North Vancouver on Saturday.
Capilano ran in seven tries, much to the delight of the home crowd at Klahanie Park.
CW opened the second half with a drive towards the try line, which was eventually rewarded when prop MacBryan Bos barrelled over for the Oak Bay side’s only try.
"Capilano are a powerful and well-drilled side," said CW coach Roger Robinson. "We told our guys it would be tough playing Capilano at their home park. If we wanted to win at Klahanie, we would need to score first and unfortunately we didn't do that today.”
Three players from the final took part in Rugby Canada’s U19 Western region selection camp the previous weekend, two from Capilano and CW fly half Fergus Hall, a senior with Glenlyon Norfolk School.