A sunny Saturday afternoon set the ideal stage for a crosstown bout at Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre. A packed house was treated to a competitive showing as the UBC Thunderbirds emerged with their first victory of the season, besting Trinity Western by a score of 40-17.
Both sides employed a 'bend don't break' philosophy early, despite trading chances, neither team could put up points. The deadlock was broken just over 22 minutes in with the visiting Spartans scoring 3 off the boot of freshmen Matthew Willemse (#10).
There was a break in the action as UBC's Scott Bowers (#16) delivered a hard, perfectly timed hit, but took the worst of the collision as he was shaken up and forced to leave the match. Shortly after, the T-birds evened the score at 3-3 with 2
nd year
Max Abercrombie kicking for a tie. Abercrombie had a stellar kicking performance, finishing the match with 3 penalties and 3 conversions.
A team-wide effort stretching the field of play lead to the game's first try as UBC's Matt Percillier (#15) forced his way past the try line, giving his team the lead late in the first half. The unconverted try left an 8-3 score to end the first half.
Both squads took full advantage of the break in-between halves, players came storming out of the gates, picking up the pace of action drastically. It was the visiting Spartans who struck first as Guiseppe Du Toit (#12) pummelled through to score, and teammate Willemse (#10) converted the try. The rivalry kicked into full-gear with the sides painting the pitch with an entertaining battle. However, it was the Thunderbirds who opened the floodgates,
Payton Teneycke (#3) punched through a try, giving the T-Birds a lead, which they refused to relinquish.
"We had a decision, we were either going to sit here and repeat the last two weeks or we were going to do something about it, that was the difference, [UBC] decided they were going to do something about it." Said T-Birds Head Coach
Curry Hitchborn, referencing UBC's two losses to start the season.
Joshua Downes (#7) and
Raymond Chou (#6) added a try each to the total, as the T-Birds turned on the jets to extend their lead. After stifling the Spartans offence on the try line, the T-Birds counter-attacked. Forest Scarrwener (#23) was rewarded for his hustle as the third year chased down a teammate's kick, which the Spartans could not field, finding the ball in his hands past the try line. The converted try gave the T-Birds a 37-10 lead, and their highest offensive output of the season so far.
The Spartans showed their resilience, refusing to roll-over, as Lynden Duggan (#14) cut into the lead with a late converted try, however, Trinity Western ran out of clock and UBC made good on a penalty kick just before the final whistle to secure the 40-17 victory.
TWU (1-0-2) will visit Pacific Pride next, a team they defeated 37-26 last weekend. The T-Birds will also head to Vancouver Island for their next matchup. UBC will try to even the score against UVIC who secured a 30-14 win against the T-Birds last weekend.
"It's UVIC next weekend, they're not to be taken lightly but I can guarantee you we're very much looking forward to that one." – said the always enthusiastic T-Birds Head Coach
Curry Hitchborn on the opportunity.
The T-Birds match vs. UVIC will take place on October 1
st at 2:30 p.m. PT in Victoria.
