It was double knockout for the Capilano Rugby Club's top two men's teams over the past two weekends as both the premier and first division squads fell to the UVik Vikes in B.C. Rugby Union semifinal action.
On April 25 the third-ranked premier men travelled to Victoria to play the second-seeded Vikes and just missed out on a berth in the finals, losing 25-22. The roles were reversed but the results were the same the following weekend in Div. 1 action as No. 3 UVic travelled to Klahanie Park and beat the second-ranked Caps 36-26. In premier women's action Capilano couldn't keep up to the Velox Valkyries, losing 72-14
Saturday on the road in Victoria.
Velox also knocked off the Caps in Div. 3 Pool A men's play, winning 39-17 on Saturday, while Capilano's Div. 3 Pool B team also saw their season come to a close Saturday following a 23-18 loss against SFU.
West Vancouver rugby star Ryan Hamilton announced his retirement from the national team last month following 10 years of play from the U17 level up to the senior men's squad.
Hamilton, a Rockridge secondary grad and Capilano Rugby Club member, suited up for Team Canada at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, playing in all four of Canada's games at the tournament.
"There were lots of highs and lows during those five weeks but the experience itself was really positive and one I will always remember and value," Hamilton stated in a Rugby Canada release, also listing a six-month stint playing for a club in New Zealand as another career highlight. "(These were) some great memories of the best years of my life," he said.
The 27-year-old, who made 17 appearances for the senior national team, retired in part due to mounting injuries - including neck problems common to front-row players as well as concussions. He is now pursuing a law degree.
