The quest for the cup is playing out on soccer fields all across the south Island, including right here in Oak Bay.
In Vancouver Island Soccer League play, 2016 Jackson Cup playoffs have Bays United Div. 1 kicking off against Nanaimo Div. 2 tonight (Friday, March 4) at the UVic Turf at 8 p.m.
In Tony Grover Cup play, the UVic Alumni play the Cove Reunited at UVic Field 3 on Friday, March 4 at 7:15 p.m.
In the Div. 4 cup, the Bays United 4B team plays in the semifinals against Gorge 4B at Hampton Park on Sunday March 6 at 2:15 p.m.
The women’s soccer league is also busy with playoffs.
In premier-level play, the Terry Price Cup has the Castaways FC facing Lakehill at 8 p.m. tonight (Friday, March 4) at PISE. Both teams are coming off wins last weekend.
Vying for the Doug Day Cup, Castaways FC Div. 1 face Vic West United Div. 1 at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at PISE, while Bays United Div. 1 plays Prospect Lake at Layritz. Castaways Div. 2 visits Juan de Fuca Div. 1 at a field still being determined at press time.
In the Stephanie Shergold Cup, Bays United Div. 2 visits Saltspring United O30As at Portlock field Sunday for a 3:30 p.m. start. Castaways United 030A visits Lakehill Reds Div. 2 at Reynolds Park Sunday, March 6 at noon, while Castaways FC 030A faces Prospect Lake 2 Div. 3 at Layritz turf, also Sunday at noon.
Finally, in the Frank Leversedge Cup, the Bays Breakers O30B face Bays United Div. 3 tonight (Friday, March 4) at Finlayson turf. Kickoff is at 8 p.m.
Castaways Div. 3 also hosts Ladysmith Div. 3 at noon Sunday at the Carnarvon rugby field.
Runners have until March 15 for the Oak Bay Half-Marathon early registration package. The popular local event takes runners all through Oak Bay with all races starting on Oak Bay Avenue. For more information visit oakbayhalf.com
The University of Victoria men’s field hockey team plays its last regular season game of the year on Saturday, March 5 when they take on the India Field Hockey Club at the UVic Field Hockey Turf at 12:30 p.m.
Head to Elk Lake Friday and Saturday to catch the men’s and women’s UVic rowers in action. The local athletes compete in the Elk Lake Spring Regatta on March 5 and 6.
The rowers are gearing up for the Brown Cup rowing event also taking place at Elk Lake later in the month.
For local soccer fans, the Vikes men’s and women’s soccer teams look forward to hosting the Keg Spring Cup, March 19 to 20 at Centennial Stadium.
On the rugby turf, the UVic men’s team is on the Mainland this Saturday, March 5, taking on the University of BC Old Boys Ravens Rugby team, before March 11 and 12 when both the men and women return to the Mainland to compete in the University 7s Championship in Burnaby.
The Castaway Wanderers premiers and Div. 1 men’s rugby squads are in Burnaby Saturday, while the Castaways’ premier women host Bayside at Windsor Park Saturday. Come cheer on the women for the 11:30 a.m. kick-off.
In Vancouver Island Junior Hockey action, the Victoria Cougars swept the Kerry Park Islanders in the first round of playoffs.
The Cougars now await the winner of the Peninsula Panthers-Westshore Wolves series. At press time, Peninsula led that best-of-seven series 3-2 with Game 6 slated for The Q Centre on Wednesday night, after the News went to press.
Take in the Victoria Royals’ tilt against the Vancouver Giants Saturday and help local hospitals at the same time. Hockey for Hospitals, at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, raises money for three specialized electric stretchers.
Tickets are available online at selectyourtickets.com/promo. Use the promo code STRETCHERS to enter to win a game night prize package.
The boys of summer are back this weekend. Oak Bay’s Victoria Mariners begin pre-season play Saturday, March 5, visiting Layritz field to play nine innings against Nanaimo.
The following weekend the Ms head to the Mainland, playing two double-headers in White Rock.
Registration is also open in Oak Bay for children of all ages to join the Victoria Esquimalt Lacrosse Association. Registration continues until March 11 for all divisions. For more information and to register visit velacrosse.com.
Colin Gall is a local athlete and Grade 11 student at Mt. Douglas Secondary. Send your coming sports events to jocktalk@telus.net