The Bow Valley Grizzlies secured an impressive 33-5 victory over their rugby rivals, the Banff Bears, on their home field in Cochrane. The triumph marked the Grizzlies’ seventh consecutive win of the 2023 season, placing them firmly at the top of the recreational division in the Calgary Rugby Union.
The Grizzlies have been on fire this season, boasting an unstoppable offence and a rock-solid defence. Their opponents have struggled to keep up, with Bow Valley outscoring their opponents by 358-46! On average, the Grizzlies outcompete other teams by 50 points a game while conceding a mere seven points. It’s almost like their opponents are chasing shadows on the field.
Coach Ty Hawes couldn’t be prouder of his team’s remarkable performance. “Each week, [the players] are getting that little bit better and… understanding the systems a little bit more,” he said. The hard work and dedication of the players are undoubtedly paying off. The Grizzlies are a force to be reckoned with.
One exciting highlight of the Calgary Rugby Union season is the rivalry between the Grizzlies and the Bears, playfully dubbed the ‘Battle of the Bears’ due to their similar names.
Beyond pride, the winning team of the overall season series between Bow Valley and Banff is awarded the coveted Grizzly Bear Cup. Last year, the Bears took home the trophy, but this year, the Grizzlies have snatched it away and aren’t planning on giving it back!
After a victorious rematch against the Bears in Cochrane, Coach Hawes shared his thoughts on the team’s dominance, “I think this game, we controlled the play a lot better, and the boys were pretty happy about it in the end. It was a good game.” Indeed, the Grizzlies’ determination and strategic gameplay showed in every moment of the match.
However, the Bears are not taking this defeat lightly. Coach Mark Hooper expressed his frustration with losing the Bears Cup, “We’re not happy about that, but it wasn’t the focus. The focus was going down there and doing a job and getting a win.” The Bears may have lost the trophy but are determined to bounce back and prove themselves in the upcoming matches.
As the season nears its end, the competition is heating up. The Grizzlies have one more Battle of the Bears match against Banff scheduled for August 12 at Mitford Park in Cochrane. The rivalry between these teams is bound to keep fans on the edge of their seats!
It’s not just about pride and trophies; the playoffs are also at stake. The Bears find themselves in a tough spot, trailing behind the Grizzlies and Red Deer Titans in the standings. With five matches remaining, they must secure victories to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Coach Hooper acknowledged the challenges, saying, “There’s a good chance we’re not making the playoffs… [this loss] really puts us in a real tough position …” The Bears must dig deep and pull off some impressive victories to secure their spot in the postseason.
In the meantime, rugby fans can look forward to an exciting clash as the Grizzlies take on the Calgary Saints this Saturday (July 29) at CRU Park in southeast Calgary. It promises to be an intense showdown, and maybe some fireworks will light up the sky with unexpected plays and moments of brilliance.
The Bow Valley Grizzlies are undoubtedly the team to beat this season, but the Bears aren’t backing down. With their eyes on the prize and their determination unwavering, this rivalry is far from over. So, grab your lawn chair, head to Mitford Park on August 12, and prepare for more thrilling rugby action!
Go here for the Calgary Rugby Union’s’ scores and schedule
