Finals Recap
Vancouver retained the McKechnie Cup, awarded to the best senior men’s representative team in BC, on Saturday thanks to a spirited 60-33 victory over rivals Vancouver Island Crimson Tide.

Vancouver held a narrow 30-26 lead at half time, but their depth proved a significant advantage as they poured in an additional 30 points during the second frame while also containing the Crimson Tide’s attack.

Read the full match report from BC Rugby News. The highlight clips below are also courtesy BC Rugby News.

Lot of effort to keep this ball alive, Vancouver’s 2nd try, Hurst #9 and Dinbandhu #10 again involved, finished by Jordan Reid #2 and Jason Hignell #7 @deanmurten pic.twitter.com/ngSPGaQiIZ

— BC Rugby News (@BCRugbyNews) May 27, 2018

Lots of highlights from the Vancouver v Island match, this is Vancouver first try, Fraser Hurst #9, David Dinbandhu #10, Neil Courtney #3 and Matt Chan #11 – I’m sure @CurryHitchborn @BrockSport will correct me if those names incorrect pic.twitter.com/hEXzmBNXCb

— BC Rugby News (@BCRugbyNews) May 27, 2018

Finals Preview
The VRU Men square off against the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide on May 26 for the McKechnie Cup, with the match to played at the home grounds of Cowichan RFC, located at 1860 Herd Road in Duncan, BC. Kickoff time is scheduled for 2:30pm.

The McKechnie Cup has a long and storied tradition, stretching back over a century. It has historically been awarded to the top regional representative men’s rugby team in BC. Vancouver Wave players who have gone on to represent BC and Canada in recent seasons include Admir Cejvanovic, Callum Morrison, Harry Jones, Connor Trainor, Jordan Sandover-Best, Brock Staller, Jared Douglas, and others.

“We’re very lucky to be able to draw from a load of excellent rugby athletes here in Vancouver,” said Coach Curry Hitchborn. “This game is important for players who want to be seen, represent their club and city, and put on the jersey. Vancouver won this competition last year, and that will go a long way to building momentum and interest among our local players.”

Training
Training for this year’s squad will take place on the following dates and locations:

• Tuesday, May 15, at Klahanie Park (home of Capilano RFC), starting at 7:00pm
• Thursday, May 17, at Klahanie Park (home of Capilano RFC), starting at 7:00pm
• Tuesday, May 22, at Jericho Park (home of UBCOB Ravens), starting at 7:00pm
• Thursday, May 24, at Jericho Park (home of UBCOB Ravens), starting at 7:00pm

Interested players are encouraged to attend all four sessions.

For more information about participation, senior men’s players should contact Coach Curry Hitchborn at [email protected].

Dunbar Keg Final Recap:
May 26, 2018 – Vancouver at VI Crimson Tide

Vancouver claimed the Dunbar Keg, awarded to the best U23 Men’s Representative Team in BC, on Saturday thanks to a convincing 52-22 victory over the Vancouver Island Jr. Crimson Tide.

Vancouver scored early and often, with the Tide narrowing the margin in closing stages of the game.

“It was an honour and a blast to work with some outstanding young talent,” said Vancouver Coach, Bruce Bowman. “They trained and played hard, and earned well deserved results. I’d also like to say thanks to the Cowichan Piggies for hosting the Final and to the Vancouver Rugby Union for the opportunity to lead this program.”

Select players from the U23 Dunbar Keg competition will now be invited to represent BC Rugby when the U23 Provincial Team faces Canada U20 next weekend in Abbotsford.

Semi-Final Match Result
May 12, Vancouver 48-10 Fraser Valley

The Vancouver U23 Men were clinical in a 48-10 victory over the Fraser Valley U23 Men on Saturday at Sullivan Heights Park.

With the win, Vancouver advances to face Vancouver Island in the Dunbar Keg Final, to be played in Cowichan on May 26th.

Photos of Vancouver vs Fraser Valley courtesy of Norma Jensen

Training

Players wanting to join the program are invited to attend upcoming training sessions on the following dates:

• April 30 at Capilano
• May 2   at Capilano
• May 8   at Capilano
• May 10 at Capilano
• May 15 at Prince of Wales Secondary
• May 17 at Capilano
• May 22, at Jericho Park (home of UBCOB Ravens)
• May 24, at Jericho Park (home of UBCOB Ravens)

All sessions are from 7:00pm to 8:15pm.

Interested players are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible and should contact Coach Bowman if they would like more details at [email protected].

The Vancouver Wave Women earned a thrilling 38-31 victory over the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide on Saturday.

Regrettably, the Wave missed out on capturing the Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cup, finding themselves 5 points adrift in the aggregate score over the two-game series.

Congrats to the Island on a well earned title defense, and congrats to the Vancouver Women on representing our city with pride and distinction.

Up next, the Women prepare for BC Provincial Team duty, as the Canadian Rugby Championships are fast approaching. This year’s tournament will take place July 15th-22nd in Saskatoon, SK,

For nearly as long as there has been rugby played in British Columbia, the question of where the province’s best players hail from has captivated and polarized fans.

The Vancouver Rugby Union (VRU) has been organizing Representative teams since 1906 to take on challengers ranging from Vancouver Island to the BC interior to international touring sides like the New Zealand All Blacks. This year promises to usher in another group of talented local rugby players.

With club rugby competitions wrapping up in early May, the focus will shift immediately to Representative Rugby matches taking place in the coming weeks, including fixtures for the VRU’s Senior Women, Senior Men and U23 Men. The players suiting up for the VRU will be in and ideal position to make a positive impression on BC Rugby selectors in attendance, with enticing provincial team opportunities on the horizon.

SENIOR WOMEN
Rugby fans will be treated to yet another edition of the classic Vancouver vs Island rivalry on May 12 as the Vancouver Wave Women battle for the Ruth Hellerud-Brown Cup. The venue for this match has been confirmed as Westshore RFC, located at 1767 Island Hwy, Victoria, while kickoff time is to be announced.

The Wave team has historically been a springboard for Vancouver-based players aspiring to play provincial and national rugby, with nationally capped players such as Andrea Burk, Hillary Leith, Carolyn McEwan, Demi Stamatakis, Gillian Boag and others having made their mark with the Vancouver Wave in recent seasons.

Training
The women will be training on April 25, May 8 and May 10, starting at 7:00pm, at Burnaby Lake Rugby Club. All Senior Women’s rugby players who aspire to represent their city, with an eye toward provincial and national team opportunities, are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions.

For more information about participation, senior women’s players should visit the VRU Women’s Facebook Group or contact Coach Walt Brandl at [email protected].

Results
Vancouver Wave 38-31 VI Crimson Tide

SENIOR MEN

The VRU Men square off against the Vancouver Island Crimson Tide on May 26 for the McKechnie Cup, with the match to played at the home grounds of Cowichan RFC, located at 1860 Herd Road in Duncan, BC. Kickoff time is scheduled for 2:45pm.

The McKechnie Cup has a long and storied tradition, stretching back over a century. It has historically been awarded to the top regional representative men’s rugby team in BC. Vancouver Wave players who have gone on to represent BC and Canada in recent seasons include Admir Cejvanovic, Callum Morrison, Harry Jones, Connor Trainor, Jordan Sandover-Best, Brock Staller, Jared Douglas, and others.

“We’re very lucky to be able to draw from a load of excellent rugby athletes here in Vancouver,” said Coach Curry Hitchborn. “This game is important for players who want to be seen, represent their club and city, and put on the jersey. Vancouver won this competition last year, and that will go a long way to building momentum and interest among our local players.”

Training
Training for this year’s squad will take place on the following dates and locations:

• Tuesday, May 15, at Klahanie Park (home of Capilano RFC), starting at 7:00pm
• Thursday, May 17, at Klahanie Park (home of Capilano RFC), starting at 7:00pm
• Tuesday, May 22, at Jericho Park (home of UBCOB Ravens), starting at 7:00pm
• Thursday, May 24, at Jericho Park (home of UBCOB Ravens), starting at 7:00pm

Interested players are encouraged to attend all four sessions.

For more information about participation, senior men’s players should contact Coach Curry Hitchborn at [email protected].

Results
May 26, Vancouver at VI Crimson Tide

U23 MEN
Vancouver will be fielding a U23 Men’s Team for this year’s edition of the Dunbar Keg.

Two games are being scheduled – one on May 12 and one on May 26 – with both games on the Island. Player transportation costs are totally covered. Jerseys will be supplied. Players will wear their club shorts and socks to round out the kit.

These will be critically important selection games, as players will be evaluated and scouted for inclusion on additional provincial pathway teams.

“I’m keen to see which players perform well in this U23 group, as opportunities could easily open up at the senior level in the near term for those with the right skills and attitude,” said Vancouver Senior Men’s Coach, Curry Hitchborn.

Opportunities will also be available for selection to an elite U23 BC Provincial Team which is set to compete against the Canada U20 side. That match is scheduled for Friday, June 1^st 2018, during the BC High School rugby (BCSSRU) championships in Abbotsford.

The Vancouver Rugby Union U23 Men’s team will be coached by Bruce Bowman.

Training will take place as follows:

• April 30 at Capilano
• May 2   at Capilano
• May 8   at Capilano
• May 10 at Capilano
• May 15 at Prince of Wales Secondary
• May 17 at Capilano
• May 22    TBD
• May 24    TBD

All sessions are from 7:00pm to 8:15pm.

Interested players are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible and should contact Coach Bowman if they would like more details at [email protected].

Results
May 26, Vancouver at Vancouver Island, Cowichan, BC
May 12, Vancouver 48-10 Fraser Valley

For more information and updates

Visit our website www.vancouverrugbyunion.ca
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/VancouverRugbyUnion
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/VancouverRugby

Contact the VRU Communications Representative

Brendan Munro
[email protected]
604.349.3104

The Vancouver Rugby Union (VRU) is pleased to announce that Charles Brown has won the Langara Fishing Adventures Auction, thanks to his generous $6,000 bid. Funds raised through this auction will go directly to supporting rugby in our community.

Many of you will no doubt recognize Charles from his time patrolling the sidelines at South Surrey Athletic Park whenever his son Quinton and the Bayside Sharks are in action.

Quinton is yet another example of the Sharks incredible pipeline of talent at the age-grade level. He is currently on loan to Queens University, where he is pursuing his engineering degree.

The VRU would like to extend a big thank you to Rick Bourne of the UBCOB Ravens for generously donating the auction prize. Rick represented the Vancouver Rugby Union on many occasions during his distinguished playing career, and continues to be a pillar of our local rugby community.

If you missed out on the bidding, but still want to go fishing, visit the Langara Fishing Adventures website and learn how to book your next getaway.