EDMONTON – The elite teams separated themselves from the pack on Saturday, as the first day of the Canada West Rugby 7s series got underway under the dome at Foote Field.
 
The Lethbridge Pronghorns and UBC Thunderbirds finished pool play with identical 3-0 records, advancing to tomorrow's semifinals. Victoria (2-1) and Calgary (2-1) each finished second in their respective pools, and will also advance.
 
"We knew heading into this tournament that teams would come out firing against us based on last years results," said Vikes head coach Brittany Waters. " Teams focused on taking away our wide game and took advantage of us at times around the break down."
 
Lethbridge needed a tight 14-7 win over Calgary, while UBC topped Victoria 21-19 in the final pool match thanks to a last second convert for each team to clinch first. 
 
"I felt we were inconsistent today," added Waters. "However, we showed some great potential and we have a lot to build on heading into tomorrow's semi final match against Lethbridge."
 
With the addition of two new teams in Canada West, the format was switched to have two pools of four, with the top two from each qualifying for the semifinals. Alberta (1-2), UFV (1-2), Regina (0-3) and TRU (0-3) will play on the consolation side on Sunday. 
 
The Pronghorns will get the Victoria Vikes in the first semifinal at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow, while UBC will get Calgary at 11:22 a.m. 
 
The host Pandas will face Thompson Rivers, while UFV and Regina clash on the consolation side tomorrow morning. The tournament final is slated for 3:06 p.m. on Sunday, with third, fifth, and seventh place matches preceding. 


Game 1: Victoria (63) vs. Regina Cougars (5)
 
Scoring summary:
 
VIC: 21-42: 63
REG: 5-0: 5
 
VIC try – #13 Jordyn Myers (#4 Brooke Bazion Convert) – 7-0
VIC try – #14 McKenzie Pusch (#4 Brooke Bazion Convert) – 14-0
REG try – #5 Olivia Mogentale (Convert missed) – 14-5
VIC try – #5 Ashah Payson (#4 Brooke Bazion Convert) – 21-5


Half
 
VIC try – #14 McKenzie Pusch (#4 Brooke Bazion Convert) – 28-5
VIC try – #5 Ashah Payson (#4 Brooke Bazion Convert) – 35-5
VIC try – #12 Maddy Aberg (#11 Nicola Smith Convert) – 42-5
VIC try – #6 Emily Belchos (#6 Emily Belchos Convert) – 49-5
VIC try – #3 Chanelle Edwards-Challenger (#6 Emily Belchos Convert) – 56-5
VIC try – #10 Paige Farries (#6 Emily Belchos Convert) – 63-5


Game 2: Victoria Vikes (24) vs Alberta Pandas (0)  
 
Scoring summary:
 
ALB: 0-0: 0
VIC: 17-7: 24 
 
VIC try – #6 Emily Belchos (Convert missed) – 5-0
VIC try – #1 Gurp Dhaliwal (Convert missed) – 10-0
VIC try – #2 Renee Gonzalez (#4 Brooke Bazion Convert) – 17-0


Half

VIC try – #2 Renee Gonzalez (#2 Renee Gonzalez Convert) – 24-0
 
Game 3: Victoria Vikes (19) vs UBC Thunderbirds (21)
 
Scoring summary:
 
VIC: 0-19: 19
UBC: 14-5: 21 
 
UBC try – #2 Nicole Mallow (#5 Shoshanah Seumanutafa Convert) – 7-0
UBC try – #2 Nicole Mallow (#5 Shoshanah Seumanutafa Convert) – 14-0
 
Half
 
VIC try – #6 Emily Belchos (Convert missed) – 14-5
VIC try – #13 Jordyn Myers (#4 Brooke Bazion Convert) – 14-12
VIC try – #4 Brooke Bazion (#6 Emily Belchos Convert) – 19-14
UBC try – #6 Kaitlyn Cummings (#5 Shoshanah Seumanutafa Convert) – 21-19
 
 
Tournament standings - Day 1

Pool A

TEAM	WINS	LOSSES	TIES	POINTS
LET	3	0	0	12
CGY	2	1	0	8
UFV	1	2	0	4
TRU	0	3	0	0

 
Pool B

TEAM	WINS	LOSSES	TIES	POINTS
UBC	3	0	0	12
VIC	2	1	0	8
ALB	1	2	0	4
REG	0	3	0	0

 
* 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: 


2019 marks the third 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, 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 Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series champion will be crowned February 25 at the University of Victoria, as determined by cumulative series points. 
 
2019 Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series tournament dates: University of Alberta (Jan. 19/20), University of the Fraser Valley (Feb. 2/3) and the University of British Columbia (March 2/3).