Host UBC stuns top-seeded Vikes to capture second straight national trophy

In a storybook finish for the hosts, the UBC Thunderbirds sank their archrivals from Victoria with a last-second try to capture the 2025 CGIS U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship, presented by The Rec Room Granville, as they scored a 15-13 victory over the Vikes on Sunday at Thunderbird Stadium.

The win gives the Thunderbirds (7-3, 4-1 Canada West) the prestigious Monilex Trophy for the second time in a row, and the second time ever. Victoria (9-1, 5-0 Canada West), for its part, matches its best-ever finish at the national tournament.

Trailing by two points as the clock ticked toward the end of the regulation 70 minutes, the Thunderbirds mounted one final, desperate attack off a nice turnover in the 69^th minute. The ball found its way to winger Adia Pye, who bee-lined down the left sideline towards the corner flag and touched down the game-winning try as time expired, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The victory was a monumental upset, as the top-seeded Vikes had defeated UBC in all three of their previous meetings this season, entered the contest with a perfect 9-0 record and were looking to avenge last year’s defeat in the national title game.

UBC’s triumph was spearheaded by tournament MVP Charity Williams, whose relentless defensive pressure and leadership were instrumental throughout the championship. Players of the game were UBC's Kiki Idowu and Victoria's Emily Findlay.

The game was a classic, defensive battle from the start. Victoria’s Olivia Newsome opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the seventh minute for an early 3-0 lead. UBC responded just before halftime, as Olivia Sarabura powered over for a try, converted by Brooke Roddham, to give the Thunderbirds a 7-3 lead at the break.

UBC extended their lead early in the second half with a Roddham penalty goal, making it 10-3. The Vikes, however, stormed back. Ella O’Regan scored two second half tries, the second in the 65th minute, to put Victoria ahead 13-10 and set the stage for the dramatic finale.

The UBC defense held firm in the final minutes, including a key period where they weathered a Victoria attack, to get the ball back and launch the series of phases that led to Pye’s championship-winning score.

NIKE TEAM PLAYERS OF THE GAME

UBC: Kiki Idowu

TOURNAMENT ALL-STARS:

1. Prop: Kiki Idowu, UBC
2. Hooker: Sierra Gillis, Victoria
3. Prop: Tattyannah Jackson, Queen’s
4. Lock: Teya Ashworth, UBC
5. Lock: Sandrine Faucher, Laval
6. Flanker: Emily Findlay, Victoria
7. Flanker: Lizzie Gibson, Queen’s
8. No. 8: Madison Jumeau, Queen’s
9. Scrum Half: Justine Blatt-Janmaat, Victoria
10. Fly Half: Brooklyn Roddham, UBC
11. Left Wing: Tia Jordo, UBC
12. Inside Centre: Tausani Levale, Guelph
13. Outside Centre: Charity Williams, UBC
14. Right Wing: Olivia Newsome, Victoria
15. Full Back: Carissa Norsten, Victoria

TOURNAMENT MVP: Charity Williams, UBC

GAME SUMMARY

FIRST HALF:

7’         VIC       Penalty goal Olivia Newsome 0-3

20’       UBC     Try Olivia Sarabura (Brooke Roddham conversion)    7-3

Yellow Card: Olivia Newsome VIC (28’)

SECOND HALF:

40’       UBC     Penalty goal Brooke Roddham           10-3

48’       VIC       Try Ella O’Regan (conversion failed)   10-8

65’       VIC       Try Ella O’Regan (conversion failed)   10-13

70’       UBC     Try Adia Pye (conversion failed)         15-13