VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds successfully defended their Rounsefell Cup championship and completed an undefeated season against North American competition by beating Burnaby Lake Rugby Club 27-12 in the final of the BC Rugby Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League at Klahanie Park on Saturday afternoon.
The capacity crowd was treated to an excellent display of hard-fought rugby. The favoured T-Birds battled to a slim 10-5 halftime lead and continued to build their advantage in the second half, eventually winning by 15 points.
"We knew it was going to be tough," said UBC centre
Brock Staller (Vancouver), who kicked five penalties and added a conversion in the game. "Once they got the ball, they didn't turn it over. They kept it tight and they tried to use their physical advantage over us. It was grueling. There were a lot of penalties against us. We stuck in there and it came down to kicks instead of tries."
Photo by Rich Lam
The victory capped off what could be considered the greatest year in UBC men's rugby history. The team finished 20-0 in regular season and playoff play, capturing its second straight CDI Premier League championship.
Over the course of the season, UBC also won the 'World' Cup series over the California Golden Bears and the Wightman Boot against the Victoria Vikes. The T-Birds then triumphed over the Vikes again in the Premier League semifinals to earn a place in the Rounsefell Cup. Before the season began, UBC also took third place at the inaugural World University Rugby Cup in Oxford, England.
Saturday's result was third provincial championship in a row for the Thunderbirds, who also won the Okanagan Spring Brewery League One title in the spring of 2014 before moving up to the Premier League and claiming its top prize in 2015.
Photo by Rich Lam
"There's no better way to finish off a career, I couldn't be happier," exclaimed UBC captain
Charlie Thorpe (North Vancouver) after his last game in a blue and gold uniform.
"I was very blessed to be around right when the turning of the tides was happening. The "Return to Excellence" program was the best thing that's happened to UBC rugby and the turnaround's been…I think it's even been better than a lot of the donors thought it would be. From in my first year playing in the lower division and not winning to now winning three championships in row and an undefeated season, best club team in North America, it's been absolutely incredible. I'm very thankful."
