Image credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea

By Marty Hastings

B.C. Rugby Union

Rugby Raiders to host playoff games, aiming to snap B.C. Championship droughts

Apr 9, 2025 | 4:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — Wins on Saturday (April 12) at Exhibition Park are necessary if the Kamloops Rugby Club Raiders want to snap provincial championship droughts.

On the men’s side, the Raiders – who haven’t snared a provincial championship since 2018 – will play host to the Chilliwack Crusaders in a Division 2 quarter-final tilt, with kickoff slated for 1:30 p.m.

“A lot of these games, we’ve blown some teams up, putting up some pretty big scores,” Raiders’ standoff Lewis McKnight said. “And I think that’s kind of just showing we’re ready for the final. All these games, I mean, they’re big, they’re important, but when it comes down to it, we want that [championship].”

Kamloops finished atop league standings with a record of 14 wins and one loss, outscoring opponents 695 to 162 over 15 games.

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The Raiders were dominant in the season series against the Crusaders, besting the visitors 51-15 on Oct. 5 at Exhibition Park and cruising to a 51-12 victory on Nov. 9 in Chilliwack.

“We’re unmatched forwards-wise. No one’s going to touch us in the scrums,” Raiders’ forward Wes Black said. “Like, if we don’t push you back ten metres, it’s not a good scrum. We always struggled having a set, great backline. We always had a few key players, but these last couple of years, we’ve had a great backline, from 10 to 15.”

On the women’s side, the Raiders are chasing their first B.C. title since 2013, when they knocked off the Nanaimo Hornets 34-10 to claim the Karen Moore Trophy.

“Oh, in my heart of hearts, I believe in this team so much,” said Erin Jensen, whose 25-year tenure with the Raiders is expected to end after this season when her family moves away from the city. “Capilano is winnable. But it’s going to be a battle. There’s going to be some bruising, there’s going to be some hitting and there’s going to be some big breakaways, big tackles and big scores.”

Kamloops posted an 8-6 record to finish fourth in 2024-2025 BCRU Women’s Division One standings.

The Raiders split the season series with Capilano, earning a 24-0 win on Nov. 2 in Kamloops and falling 27-0 on March 8 in North Vancouver.

Kickoff is slated for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday for the quarter-final showdown.

Black expects home-field advantage to be pivotal in both contests this weekend.

“Our fans are notorious for being out and proud and no one likes to come up and play us up here,” he said.

Kamloops reached the men’s first division final last year, only to be bludgeoned 42-12 by the Squamish Axemen in the title tilt.

“We were driving back in second place,” McKnight said. “It’s always fun. I mean, we’re on the bus together, but you can just imagine how much sweeter it would be to have that trophy with us and singing those songs after a win rather than a loss.”