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The CDI Premier League approaches its conclusion this weekend as four teams duke it out in the Rounsefell Cup Semi Finals. Three of British Columbia’s best clubs are joined by the Seattle Saracens in the title hunt with a number of international players scattered between the two games. Match videos will be available on YouTube following completion.
CASTAWAY WANDERERS vs UBC THUNDERBIRDS
Saturday, April 29, 2:45pm PT, Oak Bay
The defending champions T-Birds travel to Windsor Park to face an ever-dangerous Oak Bay side headlined by World Cup tighthead prop Doug Wooldridge and Americas Rugby Championship duo Robbie Povey and Dan Moor. Canada ‘A’ tourists Doug Fraser and Anton Ngongo bolster a backline that also boasts Canada 7s reps in Dustin Dobravsky and Keaton Styles. Three Wolf Pack forwards in John Braddock, Clayton Thornber, and Conor Turner added further steel to the piano movers.
As ever UBC are younger but bristling with upcoming talent and a number of Canada age-grade players. The front row of Connor Sampson, Alex Mascott, and Neil Courtney have all earned national u20 honors as have flanker Nakai Penny and co-captain Connor Hamilton. Jordan Sandover-Best will have partner Canada ‘A’ cap Adam McQueen in the halfbacks, and former Wales u20 selection Nathan Rees is a danger-man in the midfield.
The outside backs are just as potent with Manar Kulkhan, Theo Sauder, and last year’s national u20 captain Andrew Coe. A deep bench sees two impressive props in South African-born Clint Lemkus and Ireland u20 cap Chris Taylor, while full internationals Ben LeSage and Sean Duke are poised to make an impact in the second half.
CASTAWAY WANDERERS
1 John Braddock, 2 Clayton Thornber, 3 Doug Wooldridge, 4 Cam Polson, 5 Conor Turner, 6 Nathan Stewart, 7 Haydn Evans, 8 Doug Pearson, 9 Mike Dalsin, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Anton Ngongo, 12 Dustin Dobravsky, 13 Doug Fraser (capt.), 14 Dan Moor, 15 Keaton Styles
Replacements: 16 Grant Baird, 17 Damon Adams, 18 Kyle Hohert, 19 Neil Fowler, 20 Nate Thomas, 21 Riley DiNardo, 22 Jon Morris, 23 Brandon Schellenberger
UBC THUNDERBIRDS
1 Connor Sampson, 2 Alex Mascott, 3 Neil Courtney, 4 James Carson, 5 Connor Weyell, 6 Nakai Penny, 7 Jake Ikeda, 8 Connor Hamilton (co-capt.), 9 Jorden Sandover-Best (co-capt.), 10 Adam McQueen, 11 Manar Kulkhan, 12 Nathan Rees, 13 Niko Clironomos, 14 Theo Sauder, 15 Andrew Coe
Replacements: 16 Nick Frost, 17 Clint Lemkus, 18 Chris Taylor, 19 Sam Clark, 20 Nick Allen, 21 Ben LeSage, 22 Sean Duke, 23 Elias Ergas
Referee: Harry Mason
BURNABY LAKE vs SEATTLE SARACENS
Saturday, April 29, 2:45pm PT, Burnaby
Undefeated in regular season play, Burnaby Lake will be favorites at home despite facing tough competition in Seattle. Canada ‘A’ selects Anthony Luca and Micha Govorchin start in the front row with a third, burly prop Ryan Ackerman, on the bench. ARC standout Admir Cejvanovic adds firepower with new Canada cap Lucas Albornoz moving into the second row to accommodate.
Teenage powerhouse Taitusi Vikilani has already represented the BC Bears senior side, as have James Reekie, Kimi Vunituruga, Jeke Gotegote, and Cody Rockson. Andrew Lackner and Adrian Longbone combine with Ackerman to give Burnaby two formidable front row units to call upon.
Four PRO Rugby participants feature in the Saracens pack, including Sacramento Express trio Olive Kilifi, Valdemar Lee-Lo, and Robert Meeson, while the San Diego Breakers contribute flanker Cecil Garber. US Eagles caps Aladdin Schirmer and Matt Trouville complete an impressive loose forward unit.
The magic feet of dual-international Shalom Suniula will play in the midfield this week after starring as a fullback a week ago. Sacramento scrumhalf Jope Motokana returns to the squad but will play the role of impact sub this week.
BURNABY LAKE
1 Anthony Luca (capt.), 2 Micha Govorchin, 3 Ben Rowley, 4 Lucas Albornoz, 5 Craig McLaughlin, 6 Admir Cejvanovic, 7 Cole Mosychuk, 8 Taitusi Vikilani, 9 Jack Caithness, 10 James Reekie, 11 Kimi Vunituraga, 12 Mike Goodall, 13 Jeke Gotegote, 14 Cole McQueen, 15 Cody Rockson
Replacements: 16 Andrew Lackner, 17 Ryan Ackerman, 18 Adrian Longbone, 19 Ryan McHollister, 20 Doug Breadon, 21 Mark Higgins, 22 Nolan Shelley, 23 Dan Josok
SEATTLE SARACENS
1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Dan Trielweiler, 3 Valdemar Lee-Lo, 4 Robert Meeson, 5 Taylor Krumrei, 6 Aladdin Schirmer, 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Matt Trouville (capt.), 9 Dan Conklin, 10 Zack Burns, 11 Dion Crowder, 12 Will Stowers, 13 Shalom Suniula, 14 Sequoyah Burke-Combs, 15 Andrew Nelson
Replacements: 16 Mike Shepherd, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 Ryan Youngman, 19 Nick McKenna, 20 Ryan Snider, 21 Cecil Ala, 22 Jope Motokana, 23 Max Martinez
Referee: Chris Assmus
