After repeating as Rounsefell Cup champions, the UBC men’s rugby team can rightfully claim that it had an undefeated record in 2015-16.
“I don’t think words can describe. It’s certainly not something that we talked about or set out to do, but I think it’s a definite tribute to how hard our guys work and the time that we put in,” said Rameses Langston, Thunderbirds head coach.
During the CDI Premier League Qualification Round in fall of 2015, the T-Birds went on a perfect game streak to earn the top spot in the Mainland Elite. Before heading off to winter break, the ’Birds shut out Burnaby Lake RC 20-0 to capture the Mainland Cup.
After a perfect record before the break, the T-Birds returned to the field in January to win their third-straight Wightman Boot — an annual competition between UBC and the University of Victoria Vikes. Against the Vikes, the top team of the Vancouver Island Elite, the ’Birds came out 37-30 to top the opposition.
The ’Birds didn’t finish there. In the first week of February, UBC headed to Berkeley, California to play the first leg of another coveted title — the World Cup. Here, the T-Birds clinched the first leg with a 20-15 victory before finishing the second leg 50-3 back at home in March. All the while, UBC’s prowess never vanished as the team crushed one opponent after another.
Then came the final phase — the semifinals and championship. After an undefeated record, the ’Birds had two more spectacular showdowns against Victoria and Burnaby Lake to cap off the season.
Langston — who is thankful for the contributions of the staff, athletes, parents and alumni of UBC Athletics to his rugby program — attributes the T-Birds’ successes of the season in large part to the talent that various veteran players brought to the table.
“[The veteran players] really set the tone in training and they are outstanding role models for our younger athletes,” said Langston.
The past season also marks the final year for a number of key players, including fifth-year arts student Charlie Thorpe who captained the team during the season. Thorpe believes that while the departure of senior players will require younger members to step up, the T-Birds will still have the necessary talent to produce successful results next season.
“As far as rugby goes, we had the depth this year that even if we’re losing seniors, I’m sure UBC will still be a force to be reckoned with,” said Thorpe.
For Thorpe, he is also grateful to have finished with the best season of his varsity career.
“It feels great. Never would have expected it to happen and no better way to seal off my UBC career for sure,” said Thorpe.
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