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International rugby returns to Westhills Stadium next year with the Canadian players by then knowing if they will be vying to nick the final few roster spots to the 2019 World Cup in Japan, or be the candidates for the 2023 World Cup.

A 39-save shutout performance from Kurtis Chapman backstopped the Victoria Grizzlies to a 6-0 victory over the Nanaimo Clippers in a sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Hockey League matinée on Sunday at The Q Centre.

They are only classified as international exhibitions, but defenceman Scott Walford of the Victoria Royals realizes there’s much at stake personally in the games between the Western Hockey League select team and Russian junior select team in the CIBC

It is more than just a ball they are chasing on the University of Victoria turf field. A total of 226 hopefuls paid their own way from as far as England, Japan and Africa to pursue their dreams of pro soccer in the fledgling Canadian Premier League.

No Amira on fire? No problem for the University of Victoria Vikes in a 72-65 sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ West women’s basketball victory Saturday night on Ken and Kathy Shields Court before a lively audience in CARSA Gym.

The early race for the sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Hockey League scoring crown is between two disparate captains of their squads — the kid and the veteran. The former is Alex Newhook of the Victoria Grizzlies and the latter is Ty Westgard of the Surrey Eagles.

It took a decade to get it, but coach Lynne Beecroft has her 12th U Sports national title in her 35 seasons at the helm of the University of Victoria Vikes women’s field-hockey team.

PORTLAND 2 VICTORIA 1 The Portland Winterhawks prevailed 2-1 on Saturday night in a Western Hockey League game highlighted by outstanding crease play.

Even amidst personal glory, every athlete in a team sport knows it’s the scoreboard that counts most.

Junior national team player Erin Dawson scored twice to give the UVic Vikes a 2-1 victory Friday in Toronto over the York Lions in Game 1 of the best-of-three U Sports women’s national field hockey championship final.