Canada’s roster for an International Women’s Rugby Series in New Zealand, the final tune-up for the Rugby World Cup, was announced and Burnaby Lake’s Carolyn McEwen made the cut.
The 30-year-old prop was among the 28 players named for the tour, which will see the Canadians take on England and Australia as well as the host New Zealanders, prior to heading to Ireland for the World Cup.
Canada is currently ranked third in the world, but will test their mettle against the No. 1-ranked Kiwis on June 9, followed by a test against No. 2 England on June 13. Australia will be their final opponent in the series, on June 17.
SFU’s Demi Stamatakis was also named to the team but is unable to play due to injury.
The Women’s World Cup takes to the pitch in August.
Lawrence delivers clutch double
Burnaby’s Taylor Lawrence carried a hot bat for his Mayville State University Comets last week, lashing a clutch double that cleared a bases-loaded jam and cued a 9-7 victory over the University of Jamestown.
Trailing 6-4, the Comets claimed the lead in the fifth inning on Lawrence’s three-run knock.
A senior who plays the infield corners, Lawrence’s clutch hit continued a strong season at the plate as he leads the conference with a .500 batting average. Overall, he is batting .375 in all Mayville’s games. The Comets have the fourth-best record in NAIA Div. 1 collegiate baseball, and currently sit 22nd in the 2017 NAIA Baseball Coaches Top-25 poll.
Burnaby teams still in B cup hunt
Two more wins and they’re in the finals.
The Burnaby Men’s Soccer League champion Sierra FC took another step closer to a provincial final appearance, beating Vancouver Metro’s 13th Legion 3-0 last week in the Keith Miller B Cup provincial tournament.
Goals by Lucas Carmargo, before the game was five minutes old, Pablo Clinaz and Daniel Accetura capped a decisive effort. Sierra had claimed the Burnaby league title with only one loss to their record.
On the other side of the draw, Burnaby Metro Athletic of the Vancouver Metro League continued to roll on, but without taking to the pitch. They advanced to the quarterfinals when Bacardi FC of Burnaby Men’s Soccer League forfeited the game.
Metro Athletic, which won its Div. 2 division with a 14-6-2 record, hosts Fraser Valley Red Devils on Saturday, 1:30 p.m. at Burnaby Lake West in its quarterfinal.
Sierra FC travels to the North Shore to play the Norvan Storm, 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Winners advance to the semifinals, scheduled for May 14 at Burnaby Lake West.
