Oak Bay rugby fans have plenty to cheer for this week. Canadian rugby returns to the Island when the National Women’s Sevens squad matches up against the world’s best for the Canada Women’s Sevens tournament this weekend at Westhills Stadium. Teams from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand and more will be in attendance for the two-day tournament April 18 and 19. Events start at 11 a.m. Saturday with playoffs starting at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The high school rugby schedule features several local teams in action in the senior boys league, including St. Michaels University School at Esquimalt and Glenlyon Norfolk School hosting Spectrum. On the girls’ side, a handful of mini-tournaments will be played at three hosting schools Friday, April 24. Oak Bay is at Spectrum, along with Reynolds and Victoria High, while Glenlyon Norfolk School hosts Mount Douglas and Stelly’s at Windsor Park.
A handful of high school senior badminton games take to the court this week, starting on Tuesday, April 21 when St. Andrews visits Glenlyon Norfolk School and St. Michaels plays at Mount Douglas Secondary. April 23 has GNS travelling to Edward Milne. All matches will start at 3:45 p.m.
The Victoria Mariners baseball club opens its season this weekend with opening ceremonies at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Henderson Park. The Premier Mariners first game of the season follows at 1 p.m. versus the North Shore Twins. A roadtrip takes the M’s up Island Sunday to play the Parksville Royals.
The Mariners Junior Premier squad plays at home on Sunday, facing the White Rock Jr. Titans at 1 and 3 p.m.
The Victoria Eagles Premier baseball squad opened the 2015 season with a bang this last weekend, beating the Nanaimo Pirates in an impressive 20-8 victory Saturday morning. The Premier boys are away in Vancouver this Saturday, but return to face the North Shore Twins at Lambrick Park Sunday with games at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Junior Premier squad opens its regular season this weekend, playing their home opener Saturday, April 18 against the White Rock Jr. Tritons at noon and 2:30 p.m.
At Carnarvon Park, the Victoria Eagles AAA Black team opens its 2015 season with four games this weekend, April 18 and 19. Games go at noon and 3 p.m. Saturday against White Rock, while Sunday brings games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. versus Delta Bantam AAA. Bantam AAA Red Eagles, also hosted at Carnarvon Park, are on the road this weekend, visiting Delta and Coquitlam-Moody. The team will face the local Layritz squad in exhibition play Tuesday, April 21 at Carnarvon.
Also at Carnarvon, Oak Bay Lawn Bowling club hosts an open house Sunday, April 19 from 1 to 3 p.m., offering an opportunity to try the popular local sport. Coffee, tea and goodies will be served. Guests are asked to wear flat-soled shoes to protect the greens. Learn more about the club at bowlsoakbay.ca.
Devon Gall is an avid sports fan and former Carnarvon baseball player. Send your sports events news to jocktalk@telus.net.