Rugby fans cheer the return of the Americas Rugby Championship this weekend, bringing two days of international play to the West Shore’s Westhills Stadium Saturday, Feb. 4 and 11. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. with kick-off at 5 p.m. Canada takes on Argentina Feb. 4 and Chile on Feb. 11 before heading to the Mainland to face the U.S. Feb. 18, then on to South America to play Uruguay and Brazil. Find tickets to the local matches at events.rugbycanada.ca.
In men’s Div. 1 rugby, Westshore 1 hosts Nanaimo 1 this Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. start at the Juan de Fuca field. The game follows the Div. 2 tilt between both clubs at noon.
Turning to hockey, the Victoria Grizzlies will have a quiet start to February with just one game each at home and on the road. The Grizz host Penticton this Saturday, Feb. 4, with a 7 p.m. puck-drop at The Q Centre before hitting the road to Powell River Wednesday, Feb. 8.
In Junior B action, the Westshore Wolves follow tonight’s roadtrip to face the Campbell River Storm with a Wednesday, Feb. 8 home tilt against the Oceanside Generals. Come cheer on the Wolves at 7 p.m. at The Q Centre before they cross town to take on the Victoria Cougars Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at Archie Browning Arena.
Midget Tier 1 playoffs get under way this weekend with the Chris Kueber’s Juan de Fuca Grizzlies travelling to Pearkes Arena to face the Saanich Braves Saturday, Feb. 4. Game time is 3 p.m. On Sunday, the Grizzlies host Nanaimo Tier 1 for a 12:50 p.m. start at The Q Centre.
West Shore high school basketball returns this week with the Royal Bay boys hitting the court at Spectrum at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 7). Play continues Thursday, Feb. 9 when Royal Bay plays at Stelly’s at 7:30 p.m.
The Belmont High senior boys are also in action this week, visiting St. Michaels University School at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday (Feb. 9).
The senior girls city championship get under way Feb. 9 to 11 (schedule still to be determined) followed by the Islands Feb. 16 to 18 at Nanaimo’s Dover Bay.
In men’s soccer, Westcastle United heads west tonight (Feb. 3) to take on the Fred Milne Park Rangers FC at 6 p.m. in Sooke.
In lower Island women’s soccer, Juan de Fuca United plays the Lakehill Reds tonight at 8 p.m. on Juan de Fuca field 2 while the Juan de Fuca FC heads to PISE to face the Castaways FC tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Little League and baseball registration is underway, with Hampton welcoming players age five through 13 from the West Shore. Visit hamptonll.pointstreaksites.com or head to Hampton Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 4, 5 and 18.
Registration is also open for Triangle Baseball – visit triangleathleticassociation.com.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 12 student at Mt. Doug Secondary. Send you coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net.