VICTORIA – The final tournament of the inaugural Canada West women's rugby sevens series got off to a roaring start today in Victoria, with nine games being contested on Wallace Field.
 
Victoria picked up a victory in their first game of the day, shutting out Lethbridge 21-0, although they would face challenges in their next two games, falling to Alberta 10-7 on a last-minute try before dropping their next match against Calgary 12-5.

Madeleine Graham had two tries to lead the Vikes while Jess Neilson had four converts. 

The Calgary Dinos travelled to Victoria with the goal of Canada West rugby supremacy; after day one that goal is well within their reach.
 
The reigning Canada West 15's champions and national bronze-medallist Dinos had to settle for second place at the opening tournament just under one month ago, when they were bested twice by the Vikes.
 
It is the Dinos that have put themselves into the drivers seat to capture the Canada West banner though, surrendering just ten points combined in victories over the Fraser Valley Cascades (24-0), the UBC Thunderbirds (20-5) and the host Vikes (12-5).
 
The Alberta Pandas and UBC both positioned themselves well ahead of the second day of competition, as they hold identical records of 2-1.
 
The Pandas pulled off the upset of the day when Ali Wicklum crossed the try line right before the final whistle to give them the victory over UVic (10-7). Alberta also knocked off the Lethbridge Pronghorns (29-5).
 
The Thunderbirds meanwhile, used a high-powered offence to beat both the Pandas (31-5) and the Cascades (33-0).
 
The Vikes and Pronghorns both sit at 1-2 and hold an outside shot of playing in the Cup Final game, where the maximum of ten tournament points will be on the line. The Vikes started their day with a commanding with over Lethbridge (21-0), while the Pronghorns picked up their lone victory over the Cascades (19-7).
 
While the Cascades, the newest addition to the world of Canada West women's rugby, failed to pick up a victory on the day, there is cause for optimism for Fraser Valley. They allowed 33 fewer points than they did on the first day of the series-opening tournament in Alberta.
 
The deciding day of the series will get underway at 10 a.m. PT when the Dinos (3-0) look to stay undefeated against the Pronghorns (1-2), followed by UBC (2-1) vs. UVic (1-2) and Fraser Valley (0-3) vs. Alberta (2-1) at 10:50 a.m.
 
 
Rugby Sevens Scoring Summary
 
Game 1: UVic Vikes (21) vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns (0)
Scoring summary:
UVic: 0-21: 21
LETH: 0-0: 0
 
Half-time
 
UVic try - #3 Chanelle Edwards-Challenger (#10 Jess Neilson convert) 7-0
UVic try - #6 Steph Black (#10 Jess Neilson convert) 14-0
UVic try - #7 Madeleine Graham (#10 Jess Neilson convert) 21-0
 
Game 6: UVic Vikes (7) vs. Alberta Pandas (10)
Scoring summary:
UVic: 7-0: 7
AlB: 0-10: 10
 
UVic try - #6 Steph Black (#10 Jess Neilson convert) 7-0
 
Half-time
 
ALB try - #5 Sara Haring (convert missed) 7-5
ALB try - #15 Ali Wicklum (convert missed) 7-10
 
Game 9: Calgary Dinos (12) vs. UVic Vikes (5)
Scoring summary:
CAL: 12-0: 12
UVic: 0-5: 5
 
CAL try - #22 Kelcey Leavitt (#10 Isla Shill convert) 7-0
CAL try - #10 Isla Shill (convert missed) 12-0
 
Half-time
 
UVic try - #7 Madeleine Graham (convert missed) 12-5
 
Tournament standings
               W          L            T            Pts.
CGY       3            0            0            12
ALB       2            1            0            9
UBC      2            1            0            9
VIC        1            2            0            6
LET       1            2            0            6
UFV      0            3            0            3
 
NOTE: Teams are awarded 4 pts. for a win, 2 pts. for a draw, and 1 pt. for a loss.
 
About the Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series:
 
2017 marks the first season of the Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series, which has been made possible thanks to Canada West's partnership with B2ten and Rugby Canada. Through their joint support, which will include scholarship opportunities for players at all six competing institutions, B2ten and Rugby Canada are committed to helping Canadian female athletes pursue their athletic careers, including an opportunity to progress to the national team.
 
The inaugural Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series champion will be crowned February 19 at the University of Victoria, as determined by cumulative series points.
 
2017 Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series tournament dates: University of Alberta (Jan. 20-21) and University of Victoria (Feb. 18 and 19).