VANCOUVER - Conditions were once again good at UBC as the Birds took on a strong Ravens team containing a large number of former players. It was the visitors who settled down quickly and began to take advantage of field position and to pressure the home team into making a number of errors.  It was Brock Staller who gave the Ravens the early lead with his first penalty after just five minutes and he added a second when Clint Lemkus (Paul Roos) was sent to the bin midway through the half. Ravens looked to have increased their lead when Theo Sauder (St George's) had a kick charged down by flanker Nick Waggot but the Birds chased him down and recovered temporarily. Minutes later the visitors scored in the right corner after they drove left off a line out before reversing the play and finding the overlap on the right. With fifteen minutes remaining in the half and down 0-11, the home team finally began to put some phases together. A long penalty kick by Adam McQueen (Canmore) reduced the deficit to 3-11 before a long pass from prop Chris Taylor (Dromore) found flanker Nick Allen (Mulgrave) wide on the left. After an audacious dummy to winger Manar Kulkhan (Port Moody), Allen romped down the side line to score in the corner. McQueen failed with the extras but the Birds were back in contention at 8-11 as the half time whistle blew. This was a strong Ravens performance in the first half. The team is competitive in all areas. John Phelan, the Rugby Canada lock, was outstanding in the forwards and the backs have the speed to contain as well as outflank most opponents.


 
Despite the strong finish to the first half, UBC began the second half poorly. A number of unforced errors stopped any attempt at continuity and it was no real surprise when Staller added his third penalty to put the ravens further ahead 8-14. Heading into the final twenty minutes the game was still in the balance but with UBC beginning to control more of the sets it looked likely that the gap would close and when Lemkus drove across the line on the left for his second try in successive games there was a palpable sense of relief among the home support. McQueen added the extras and the Birds were up 15-14 and leading for the first time in the game. The lead was extended to 20-14 moments later when Sauder cross kicked for Andrew Coe (Bill Crothers) to score in the left corner. Chase Kelliher (Argyle), making an impressive contribution coming off the bench, scored the bonus point try near the posts to give McQueen an easy convert and the Birds a 27-14 advantage. To finish the game off, UBC drove a lineout some twenty meters for Alex Mascott (St George's) to complete the scoring on the right sideline. A 32-14 win had not seemed likely heading into the final quarter of the game, but it is a victory the Birds will take as they look forward to the coming visit of Capilano RFC who began its season with a close win over the Vikes.
 

Braves continue winning ways against Ravens

This was a balanced display by the Braves, putting the game away with a sound first half effort in which they scored four tries to set up a 26-5 half time lead. Sean Hickson (LV Rogers) opened the scoring after just two minutes but it was not until the mid-point of the half that the second try was scored by Liam Doll (Carson Graham) and was converted by Wes Wong (Shawnigan Lake) to put UBC up 12-0. The visitors had continued to thwart much of UBC's attacking efforts and it was only a fine attacking effort from the home team's backs that saw Fraser Hurst (St George's) score from a scrum. Wong converted and the lead increased to 19-0. The visitors were then rewarded for their efforts when they scored after running the ball from a penalty close to the UBC line. Harrison Smith (Handsworth) added the bonus point try for the Braves just before the half after good build up work from Hickson and Donald Carson (Southpointe). Wong converted again to put UBC ahead 26-5.

Third win of the day! 32-14 great day for @UBCRugby @ubctbirds #bellletstalk great education, great rugby ??

— UBC Rugby (@UBCRugby) January 29, 2017

The visitors pulled another score back right from the kick off to make it 26-10 before the Braves began to control the ball and the field for much of the second half, scoring tries at regular interval. Jake Lan (Rockridge) was next on the score sheet taking a pass from flanker Matt Anderson (Handsworth) who had opened up the Ravens defense with a long counter attacking 60 meter run. From 31-10, the score moved to 38-10 when Michael Smith (Earl Marriott) touched down after the opposition had misplayed a kick through by Wong who added the convert. Cam McWilliam (St George's) then scored on a powerful trademark bust up the middle. Wong converted to push the lead to 45-10. Wes Block (Claremont), continuing his strong display against UVic, was next on the scoresheet when he broke up the right and gathered his own chip kick to score at the posts and add the convert. The score moved from 52-10 to 57-10 when Joe Sourisseau (St George's) capped off a fine afternoon's work coming off the bench by scoring in the left corner. This was an improved effort from the Braves who managed to continue to pressure for the whole game and build towards a tough encounter with Capilano this coming weekend.

Totems start the season with a solid win against Abbotsford

At the end of the last half of the season, the Totems lost a close game at Abbotsford 17-18. As they started their campaign for this half, there was much more resilience to their efforts which resulted in a solid performance over the full duration of the game. Some determined running by the backs set up the chance for prop Conor O Flaherty (International School Brussels) to open the team's account with a well taken try which Sam Hughes (Handsworth) converted. Although Abbotsford answered with a try of its own, O'Flaherty was on hand again to score following a line out drive on the right. Hughes banged over the extras and the Totems led 14-5. The UBC backs were playing with confidence with John Tolton (United World College) having a solid outing at stand-off. It looked like the home team had increased the lead when great handling put Bryan Sun (Western Academy Beijing) over in the left corner, only for the Referee to call it back for a forward pass. There was no doubt about the next score when Terry Lok (Hugh McRoberts) collected his own kick to score near the posts and give Hughes an easy convert and the home team a 21-5 half time lead.

#home advantage #longertunnels pic.twitter.com/4cThixZ3M3

— UBC Rugby (@UBCRugby) January 28, 2017

Abbotsford worked hard during the second half to keep the Totems at bay. Lucas Perron (Abbey Park) extended the Totem's lead when he took an offload from Tolton to score in the left corner. Hughes added another conversion to push the lead to 28-5 before the visitors add a try and conversion to close the gap to 28-12. Terry Lok added his second of the afternoon to make it 33-12 and give the Totems a solid win in preparation for the visit of SFU next weekend.

Next Home Games

February 4^th
Thunderbirds v Capilano, 2.30pm KO
Braves v Capilano, 12.45pm KO
Totems v SFU, 11.15am KO
 

Fundraising - ZLC Millennium Breakfast 2017

This year's breakfast is sold out so thanks to everyone who purchased sets for the event. The guest speaker this year is former Vancouver Olympics CEO John Furlong who was also a major lead in bringing the Sevens to Vancouver.
 

Thunderbird Results 2016-2017:

 

• September 17^th V Ravens: Lost 23-25
• September 24^th @ Capilano: Won 28-8
• October 1^st @ Burnaby: Lost 10-27
• October 15^th V Meralomas: Won 38-3
• October 22^nd @ Abbotsford: Won 36-15
• October 29^th V Rowers: Won 54-6
• November 5^th V Seattle: Won 44-15
• November 19^th : Lower Mainland Final V Burnaby: Won 20-10
• January 21^st CDI V Vikes: Won 51-14
• January 28^th CDI V Ravens: Won 32-14
• February 4^th CDI V Capilano
• February 18^th @ Berkeley
• February 25^th CDI @Seattle
• March 5^th V Berkeley
• March 18th CIS Sevens @ Langford
• March 25th CDI @ Rowers
• April 1^st CDI V JBAA