UBC crowned 2023 Rugby 15s Champions

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. – The gold medal match of the 2023 Canada West Rugby 15s Championship featured a showdown between the UBC Thunderbirds and University of Victoria Vikes, with the Thunderbirds emerging victorious to claim their fourth consecutive Canada West title. The Thunderbirds defeated the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Thursday evening to earn their spot in the Championship, while the Vikes defeated the Pandas in the second semifinal. 

Sunday afternoon’s match at the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium was a battle in cold conditions. The teams played a scoreless first half in the Championship final. The second half saw the Thunderbirds pull away thanks to the Canada West MVP, Savannah Bauder. Bauder would first score a penalty goal to put the ‘Birds ahead, before scoring a try and convert to give UBC a 10-0 lead.

A UBC scrum in the 17^th minute of the game pushed the ‘Birds deep into Vikes territory. Alayna Scramstad came through with a big carry for the Thunderbirds, but a goal line drop sent the Vikes on the offensive. Trading places, in the 26^th minute, Victoria opted for a scrum to make an offensive drive but couldn’t scratch the scoreboard.

The Thunderbirds followed with a number of kicks making their way down the field, gaining ground as the conditions proved difficult for the Vikes to make catches. While the Thunderbirds continued on the offensive, the Vikes were able to come up with a number of desperation stops to hold the Thunderbirds scoreless.  

The first points of the game didn’t come until the 54^th minute, as Savannah Bauder capitalized on the penalty try to give the Thunderbirds a three-point lead over the Vikes. In the 62^nd minute, UBC followed up by making a push across the line, as the ball bounced back but was quickly scooped up by Savannah Bauder who would score the game’s only try. Bauder completed the convert as well to give the Thunderbirds the lead. 

The Vikes fought tooth and nail down the stretch, with both teams opting for kicks to try to make headway. Through the final minutes of the game, the Thunderbirds made another march into Vikes territory but were unable to add to their lead.

As the referee blew the final whistle at the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium, it was the UBC Thunderbirds who defeated the University of Victoria Vikes 10-0 and took home the title of 2023 Canada West Rugby 15s Champions.

             1     2       F

UBC     0    10     10

VIC      0      0      0

54’ – UBC Penalty Goal - #10 Savannah Bauder; 3-0 UBC

62’ – UBC Try - #10 Savannah Bauder (#10 Savannah Bauder Convert); 10-0 UBC