Richmond Rugby Football Club’s senior men’s side has started the new season with a bang and is undefeated so far.
Competing the BC Third Division, the club has dispatched Fraser Valley rivals Abbotsford, Chilliwack Crusaders and the Ex-Britannia Lions of Delta on the way to sitting top of the table after three games.
The club has been paced by an astounding eight tries in three games by fullback Colton Carpenter, along with multiple tries from winger Derlago Hills, centre Jordan Roberts and former University of Regina Football wide receiver Kyler Mosley.
The club has been lead on the field by new captain Anton Metalnikov, along with the steady hand of veteran scrumhalf Remy Dalmas and has seen encouraging play from youngsters like recent McMath graduate lock Jacob Stewart and recent Cambie grad Phil Clar De Jesus on the wing.
Anthony Hazelman has also shown a high work rate, playing multiple positions throughout the first three games while recording a number of big hits.
Richmond, under head coach Nolan Howell and assistant coach Alex Brown looks to extend their unbeaten streak this Saturday at Trout Lake Park in Vancouver versus the East Vancouver Scribes.
Women's team looking good, despite loss
Meanwhile, the Richmond Lions senior women’s side was unlucky not to come away with a win versus Langley RFC this past weekend, falling 31-30 on the final play of the game at John Oliver Park in Delta.
Tuskonee Blais, Amy Grath and Tess Chan all recorded solo tries, while fullback Zandalee Uyeyama had a hat-trick of scores.
The club has moved towards an up-tempo style of play under coaches Ged Griffiths and Graham Haigh, and the team has many offensive weapons to choose from.
Holly Davis, Jacquie Nowak and Jen Ilner have found success with their bruising, go forward running styles, while Keelin Laing and Sabrina Herrera continue to be evasive in the tackle.
Elsie Gonzalez and Brandie Wong took turns running the play from the scrumhalf position, while veteran Taryn Matich controlled the game well at flyhalf.
Captain Nini Weng will lead the team into its next match, a home game versus the Vancouver Rowing Club on Saturday at King George Park, where the club will look to record its first victory of the season.
Spots open for mini program
The Richmond RFC’s mini-rugby program has its first jamboree Oct. 23 in East Vancouver and is still looking for interested players aged 8-12 who would like to sign-up to fill out the squad.
