VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds will go in search of their first win on the young season following back-to-back setbacks to begin the campaign when they host the Trinity Western Spartans Saturday September, 24 for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre.
The T-Birds have had a rare stumble out of the gate sitting at 0-2 after a 2021-22 season to remember that saw them hoist three separate trophies including the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship title, the Wightman Boot (two-game series vs UVic) and the Rounsfell Cup as the B.C. Premier League Champions.
The 'Birds opened the season with a tough road matchup on Vancouver Island where they dropped a 56-28 decision to a very prepared Pacific Pride squad. UBC then followed that up last Saturday with a home-opening 30-14 loss to rival UVic in the first-leg of the Wightman Boot series
"Uvic showed us a lot in that match. Some habits are starting to form that have been addressed this week both in class and on field," said UBC head coach
Curry Hitchborn in reference to the visitors being better in all facets of the game on the day. "UVic played very well and to their strengths. We did not and that is the expected result. It's a wakeup call and now it's time to see who among us has answered it."
Meanwhile this week's opponent the 1-1 Spartans will be just as eager as the Vikes were to make a statement on UBC's home field, feeling very good about themselves following an impressive 37-26 victory over a tough Pacific Pride team last Saturday in Langley.
"Andy (Evans) and his staff have done so much in such a brief period in building out that program that it now shows up in how they play," added Hitchborn regarding his respect for the next opponent. "They are relentless and will absolutely push us. Parity among the schools is new to all of us and to see these results out these two early on have now set a standard. Game on."
The last meeting between the two relatively new cross-town rugby rivals will be one day shy of a full calendar year from this year's matchup, where the T-Birds prevailed 34-14 over TWU on Saturday September, 25 2021 at UBC.
