VANCOUVER – Coming into the postseason on a hot streak, the UBC Thunderbirds are aiming to win their third BC Premier League title in the last four years. Standing in their path this weekend is Meraloma RC, who the 'Birds will face at home in the semifinal round on Saturday, April 26th. 

It's a rematch of the 2022-23 Premier League Final (a 32-25 UBC win), and a rematch of regular season play just a month ago, which the T-Birds also won by a score of 36-19. The blue and gold have won five matches in a row overall, taking them by a combined score of 229-55.

"Our discipline has been a key factor in this run," said UBC head coach Didier Banse. "The group has really taken ownership of the controllables, and we've been executing those moments consistently well."

The Thunderbirds are looking to reach the provincial mountaintop for what would be not just their third title since the pandemic, but also their sixth since 2014-15. In that stretch the only other team that's won the championship is the UBCOB Ravens, the current defending champs who are the No. 1 seed with a 11-0-1 regular season record and are the only undefeated team. 

The 'Birds, meanwhile, are the No. 2 seed at 9-3-1, but undefeated in Premier League play since the calendar flipped to 2025.



Their opponents this weekend are certainly no slouches themselves, as Meraloma has made it to the Premier League Final in both of the last two seasons, and are hungry for what would be their first title since 2009.

While UBC just beat Meraloma at home in March, the Kitsilano-based side took the first meeting 26-10 back in October. The rubber match has all the makings of a great battle.

"Both matches earlier this season felt like playoff games in terms of intensity and quality," remarked Banse. "They're a savvy team with a lot of experienced internationals, so we expect them to throw the kitchen sink at us. We'll be ready. It's going to be a fantastic clash and we can't wait to get out there on Saturday."

The winner of this semifinal matchup will face the victor out of the Ravens and Westshore RFC next weekend. Before that, however, all eyes are on the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre where the Thunderbirds play at 2:30 p.m. (PT) on Saturday. You can also watch the game live right here on the UBC Thunderbirds YouTube channel.