The Nanaimo Hornets rugby program is on a nearly two month hiatus from league games for their winter break. (Nanaimo Hornets)

By Dan Marshall

On a Break

Hornets rugby teams look to build on first half performance

Dec 3, 2023 | 7:02 AM

NANAIMO — The first half of the Hornets rugby season has come to a close.

The three highest level teams are the men’s Division 1 and 3 sides and the women’s Division 2 club.

Hornets club president Brad Marshall said overall the first two months of games have gone well.

“Our women’s team has increased in numbers quite substantially. With the men’s program, we’ve struggled sometimes with numbers in order to keep two teams going.”

The women’s team will get back to league games in late January.

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“They’ve played a lot of 15 on 15 rugby this year,” said Marshall. “They won two and lost two but they just beat a well established Castaways team so they’re heading in the right direction.”

The Division 1 men have a 1-3 record in their league matches so far.

“In the beginning of the year we didn’t fare too well. Having said that the one win we did have was against one of the league leaders from Abbotsford,” said Marshall. “We just played against Rovers and they’re a very strong team who just dropped down from premier. Although we didn’t come away with the win we did better than most teams, let’s just say that.”

It’s been a numbers game for the Division 3 squad with a couple of cancelled games due to not having enough players as they continue to look for their first win.

Marshall said it’s been the grassroots part of the program that has been the highlight so far this season.

“Our great success is the minis program which continues to flourish. We had 90 kids out on Thursday nights this fall. The kids all go back to the clubhouse and get a meal as well before going back home. These days things are tight so if we make sure the kids are getting a good meal after an activity it’s a good thing.”

The men’s and women’s teams will all get back on the pitch on Jan. 27 and the mini program is likely to start around then as well.

“More than likely it will be late January. We don’t want the field to be too frozen or too hard or cold. It’s still in discussions.”

The Hornets are trying to organize some exhibition games in December with a matchup against Powell River already slated for Dec. 9.

An annual holiday tradition is the next major event on the local rugby calendar.

“We have our annual Boxing Day game. It’s a traditional game that we play every year at the rugby club. It’s an over 30 versus under 30 game and we have a bit of a dress- up scene to it as well. This year the over thirties will be Travis Kelces and the under thirties will be Taylor Swifts. It’s a fun get together. We get into the club after the game for a potluck and we do a food drive as well. It’s for the players and their families.”

The game will be at 1 p.m. at May Bennett Pioneer Park on Boxing Day. Earlier in the day the Old Boys will have a touch rugby game against the women’s team.

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