Rugby returns to the West Shore in a big way this weekend when the Canada Women’s Sevens hits the turf at Westhills Stadium. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with England squaring off against the U.S. in the first match at 10:30 a.m. Playoffs begin Sunday at 10:30 a.m., with the gates opening at 9:30.
As the high school rugby season draws to a close, Friday (May 26) marks the last day of senior girls’ league play before the year-end final jamboree. Belmont takes on Spectrum and Glenlyon Norfolk School at Spectrum. The final jamboree will also be held at Spectrum, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. next Friday (June 2).
With the end of May comes the end of the high school cycling season. The final event takes place next week with the Ferried Three Ride taking place on May 30 at Bear Mountain. Cyclists should arrive at 3 p.m. and racing begins at 4:45.
Turning to lacrosse, the WLA Victoria Shamrocks follow their home opener win over Langley with a second home tilt against the Burnaby Lakers this Friday, May 26 at an early start time of 7 p.m. at The Q Centre. The Shamrocks hit the road to play New Westminster next Thursday and return home Friday, June 2, to host Coquitlam.
The junior A Shamrocks continue play this Saturday, May 27 when they host Coquitlam at 5 p.m. at The Q Centre. After a mid-week road game, the Jr. ‘Rocks host the Port Coquitlam at 5 p.m. on June 3 in the second of a home-and-home series. And the intermediate A Shamrocks hit The Q Centre floor at 1:30 p.m. this Saturday (May 27) to face Langley before hosting Nanaimo for a Tuesday evening tilt getting underway at 8 p.m.
With the Victoria HarbourCats season on the horizon, the ‘Cats and Victoria Shamrocks organizations team up to celebrate each other this summer. On Sunday, June 25, the HarbourCats host Shamrocks Day at Royal Athletic Park, giving ‘Rocks fans access to a premium seat for the base price of $10 – just for showing a previous game ticket from a Q Centre game. On Friday, July 14, the Shamrocks return the favour at a HarbourCats Night during their Salute to Local Heroes at The Q Centre. Any fan showing a HarbourCats ticket from an earlier game will get a general admission bowl ticket for $10 to see the Shamrocks take on the Coquitlam Adanacs. Learn more at www.victoriashamrocks.com and www.harbourcats.com.
Cricket action returns to the West Shore this weekend with Div. 1 Metchosin hosting the United men at 12 p.m. at the Metchosin pitch on Sunday, May 28. In Div. 2 mid-week play, Metchosin visits the Beagle team at Beacon Hill Park next Monday.
Late-registering goddesses have until May 31 to take advantage of a $55 registration fee for this year’s Victoria Goddess Run, set for June 4 based at Westhills Stadium. After May 31, and through race weekend, registration is $60.
In high-performance baseball play, the Victoria Eagles return home Saturday, May 27 to host the White Rock Tritons at Lambrick Park. First pitches in the doubleheader go at 12:05 and 2:35 p.m. Also on May 27, the Victoria Mariners will host the North Delta Blue Jays in a doubleheader at Layritz Field, with games at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 12 student at Mt. Douglas secondary. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.
