EDMONTON - Protected from the elements, six teams from Canada West hit the field running for Day 1 of action on Saturday inside the Dome at Foote Field for the first of three Canada West Rugby 7s tournaments.
 
The two-time reigning Canada West Rugby 7s Champion UBC Thunderbirds sit comfortably atop the standings going 3-0. At the same time, the Trinity Western Spartans, Victoria Vikes and Alberta Pandas found themselves in a three-way tie for second with matching 2-1 records.
 
Leading their way to success for the Thunderbirds was a line-up enriched with skill as eight players inked their names on the scoresheet, seven of whom scored tries in their 41-5 win over the Calgary Dinos in round two. Second-year T-Bird Adia Pye took charge with five total tries in the afternoon to lead all players while teammates Skye Farish and Kiki Idowu each added four on the day.
 
Highlighting Day 1 of action was the TWU Spartans upsetting the Victoria Vikes, taking down the typical rugby powerhouse in a 12-5 victory thanks to consistent defence, limited mistakes and a blistering fast second-half effort by veteran Danika Dool for the game-winning try.
 
In an exciting end to the day, the Vikes were pressed by the Dinos as Bomi Lawal found the endzone with two unanswered tries to put the Dinos ahead early in the second half. Makayla Joseph followed suit to increase the Dinos lead. However, not going down easy, Kira Peary secured her third try of the afternoon for the Vikes to close the gap before teammate Remee Brown completed the late comeback with 39 seconds remaining on the clock to avoid a second upset loss.
 
Keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats, the Vikes, Spartans and Pandas will have their work cut out for them on Day 2 as they chase the Thunderbirds. The Pandas and Spartans will spar in the final round of action on Sunday, while the Vikes will take on their West Coast rivals, the Thunderbirds, to close out the tournament.
 
All teams will cap off group play tomorrow, with Dinos and Spartans opening Day 2 of excitement at 10:00 a.m. MST with the final round of action beginning at 12:38 p.m. MST.

RUGBY 7s STANDINGS

 

	TEAM	W	L	POINTS
1	UBC	3	0	12
2	Victoria	2	1	9
2	Alberta	2	1	9
2	Trinity Western	2	1	9
5	Calgary	0	3	3
5	Lethbridge	0	3	3

* Win - 4 Points / Draw - 2 Points / Loss - 1 Point / No Show - 0 points
 
ROUND 1
 
Game 3: Alberta Pandas (26) vs Calgary Dinos (0)
 
Scoring Summary:
 

	1	2	T
ALB	21	5	26
CGY	0	0	0

 
ALB try - #12 Kate Alcock (#12 Kate Alcock convert) 7-0 ALB
ALB try - #9 Steph Hovdestad (#12 Kate Alcock convert) 14-0 ALB
ALB try - #20 Helena Linklater (#12 Kate Alcock convert) 21-0 ALB
HALF
ALB try - #24 Emilee Randolph (convert missed) 26-0 ALB
 
ROUND 2
 
Game 6: Victoria Vikes (31) vs Alberta Pandas (5)
 
Scoring Summary:
 

	1	2	T
VIC	14	17	31
ALB	5	0	0

 
VIC try - #6 Vanessa Chiapetta (#6 Vanessa Chiapetta convert) 7-0 VIC
VIC try - #4 Kira Peary (#6 Vanessa Chiapetta convert) 14-0 VIC
ALB try - #24 Emilee Randolph (convert missed) 14-5 VIC
HALF
VIC try - #7 Shaye Ogurek (#6 Vanessa Chiapetta convert) 21-5 VIC
VIC try - #4 Kira Peary (convert missed) 26-5 VIC
VIC try - #11 Macie Wiebe (convert missed) 31-5 VIC
 
ROUND 3
 
Game 8: Alberta Pandas (26) vs Lethbridge Pronghorns (12)
 
Scoring Summary:
 

	1	2	T
ALB	19	7	26
LET	0	12	12

 
ALB try - #3 Bea Herrera (#12 Kate Alcock convert) 7-0 ALB
ALB try - #2 Maria Sawiak (#12 Kate Alcock convert) 14-0 ALB
ALB try - #15 Riley Reid (convert missed) 19-0 ALB
HALF
LET try - #3 Mackenzie Hutten (convert missed) 19-5 ALB
LET try - #6 Zina Umeh (#6 Zina Umeh convert) 19-12 ALB
ALB try - #7 Keira Skrenek (#7 Keira Skrenek convert) 24-12 ALB