The match will be held this coming Saturday, December 16th, 2006 at McDonald Park in Victoria and will feature the top club players in British Columbia.  Kick-off is set for 2:00 PM - $10 at the gate, $5 for those under the age of 19. 

With 7 players selected, the Capilano RFC has the most players representing the Fairmont Mainland squad.  Across the Strait, the Castaway Wanderers RFC led the way with 6 selections, including four starters. James Bay Athletic Association and Velox Valhallians also have four members named to the starting line-up of the Butchart Gardens Island side.  Both squads have a balance of savvy veterans and rising young stars. 

A household name to BC rugby fans is John Graf (Castaway Wanderers RFC), who, at the age of 38 has earned the starting fly half position for the Butchart Gardens’ side after an impressive first half season on Vancouver Island. 

Coach of the Island squad, Spencer Robinson of Castaway Wanderers RFC, expects that a “representative fixture like the Canadian Direct Insurance Battle of BC will also galvanize players such as Pat Kearney (UVIC Vikes RFC), Seamus Gay (Castaway Wanderers RFC) and Spencer Dalziel (James Bay Athletic Association).”  Coach Robinson also mentions young Andrew Gudmundseth of Cowichan RFC and Canada U21 as a exciting player to watch for on Saturday.  Kearny will captain the Butchart Gardens Island XV.

“I expect a high degree of pride to come through in how the players showcase their talents on the 16th,” added Robinson.  “The mainland vs. island fixture will be an exciting match.”

Dave Johnston (Bayside Sharks RFC), will coach the Fairmont Mainland squad, and also accentuates the importance of the Battle of BC as an “opportunity to showcase players who are in top form after the first half of the season.”

Johnston points to a trio of players from the undefeated Capilano RFC as ones to watch.  “Mike Langley, Akio Tyler and Tony Weller all have international sevens experience and are an exciting trio,” said Johnston.  “Of course, Pat Fleck (Meraloma RFC) also has a great deal of experience, including a start for Canada at Twickenham against England.  Pat is a great leader, and will serve as the captain.”

“There are a number of very talented young athletes to watch as well,” added Johnston.  “Mauro Perizzolo (Burnaby) is being groomed for the future prop of Canada and he has tremendous potential.  Junior provincial and national standouts Ben Jones (UBC Thunderbirds RFC) and Jason Wilson (Capilano RFC) are young guys with a great future a head of them.  Another very exciting young guy is Eric Sugawara (Bayside Sharks RFC), who had a great first half.”

Butchart Gardens Island XV

Name Club Position
 
Scott Warren James Bay Athletic Association 1 Prop
John Lyall Velox Valhallians RFC 2 Hooker
Francis Yoon James Bay Athletic Association 3 Prop
Andrew Mooney Castaway Wanderers RFC 4 Lock
Pat Kearney © University of Victoria Vikes RFC 5 Lock
Seamus Gay Castaway Wanderers RFC 6 Flanker
Steve Battie University of Victoria Vikes RFC 7 Flanker
Murray Smith Velox Valhallians RFC 8 #8
Spencer Dalziel James Bay Athletic Association 9 Scrum Half
John Graf Castaway Wanderers RFC 10 Fly Half
Andrew Moffatt James Bay Athletic Association 11 Wing
Roger Robinson Castaway Wanderers RFC 12 Centre
Andrew Gudmundseth Cowichan RFC 13 Centre
Graham Thompson Velox Valhallians RFC 14 Wing
Dan White Velox Valhallians RFC 15 Fullback
Mark Farrally University of Victoria Vikes RFC 16
Scotty Franklin Castaway Wanderers RFC 17
Craig White Velox Valhallians RFC 18
Alistair Thompson Cowichan RFC 19
Ken Goodland Castaway Wanderers RFC 20
Brennan Marcoux Cowichan RFC 21  
Robin McDowell University of Victoria Vikes RFC 22
 
Spencer Robinson Castaway Wanderers RFC Coach
James Chestnut Castaway Wanderers RFC Asst Coach
Rick Farrally University of Victoria Vikes RFC Manager
Isabel Grondin Cowichan RFC Therapist
Dr. Andre Detoit Victoria Team Dr

Fairmont Mainland XV

Name Club Position
 
Mauro Perizzolo Burnaby Lake RFC 1 Prop
Craig McLaren Capilano RFC 2 Hooker
John Morelatto UBCOB Ravens RFC 3 Prop
Ron Johnstone Capilano RFC 4 Lock
Scott Hunter Abbotsford RFC 5 Lock
Ben Jones UBC Thunderbirds RFC 6 Flanker
Mike Langley Capilano RFC 7 Flanker
Jason Wilson Capilano RFC 8 #8
Pat Fleck © Meraloma RFC 9 Scrum Half
Tom Larish Capilano RFC 10 Fly Half
Tony Weller Capilano RFC 11 Wing
Ryan McWhinney Abbotsford RFC 12 Centre
Akio Tyler Capilano RFC 13 Centre
Rob Corcoran Meraloma RFC 14 Wing
Eric Sugawara Bayside Sharks RFC 15 Fullback
Emil Christensen Bayside Sharks RFC 16
John Mackenzie Meralomas RFC 17
Neal Kinskoffer Bayside Sharks RFC 18
Jason Blaak Bayside Sharks RFC 19
Craig Culpan Meralomas RFC 20
Eric Wilson UBC Thunderbirds RFC 21
Brock Nicholson Vancouver Rowing Club RFC 22
 
Dave Johnston Bayside Sharks RFC Coach
Colin McKenzie Burnaby RFC / BC Wave Asst Coac
Trish Hopkins Vancouver Therapist
Dr. Andre Detoit Victoria Team Dr

Canadian Direct Insurance Battle of BC
Butchart Gardens Island XV versus Fairmont Mainland XV

Saturday, December 16th, 2006

2:00 PM kick-off

McDonald Park, 205 Simcoe Street, Victoria

$10 at the gate
$5 for those under 19

For more information, please visit www.bcrugby.com