It was a landmark weekend for the Bow Valley Rugby Club that demonstrates the rapidly growing depth of its men's teams.

Here at Mitford Park, they hosted three top teams in three different divisions of the Calgary Rugby Union, Aug. 18. 

"We not only hosted three different clubs who are all at the top or near the top of their respective divisions but the top teams from each of the clubs," says Head Coach Tyler Hawes. "It was pretty good to put out 45 guys and really compete against all three of them."

Griz vs Rams

The Griz came close to defeating the top team in the Alberta Cup division. The Griz lead most of the game against the Calgary Rams, only to have them come from behind for a 32-24 victory.

"It was unreal," says Hawes. "That was to top team in Alberta first division and we went toe-to-toe with them. Maybe we didn't execute as well as we wanted to in the last 10 minutes, which cost us, but I'm pretty proud of how the boys performed and the effort they put in."

Back from his season in New Zealand, Rylen Waugh gets a lift from a Rams player but it didn't prevent him from having a solid game.

"It was just unfortunate they got the last laugh I guess at the end, but we definitely had them on the back foot for the majority of the game. The boys are starting together and playing some pretty decent rugby."

In their first season in the Alberta Cup league, the Griz has all but secured a playoff berth with two games remaining in their regular season and have a respectable 5-5 record.

Hawes says the team has been focusing on refining their play and closely analyzing game footage to see where they can make further improvements going forward.

"It's all about that execution and sticking to a process and we're starting to do that, They can see what happens when we do."

This Saturday, Aug. 25, they host another of the top teams--the 7-3 Calgary Canucks. Game time is 3 p.m.

"They're a very good side so it should be a good matchup. It will be another tough go like it was this weekend and we'll see if the boys come out firing like they did on Saturday."

Div. 2 Grizzlies vs Saracen

The Griz clawed away at the Saracens' top team, 42-24.

"The seconds were awesome," says Hawes. "It was good to knock them off,"

With a 7-3 record, Saracens have dropped to third place in the standings in a division narrowly lead by Lethbridge. Beating the Saints 70-7 the weekend before, the Griz are on a two-game winning streak and have a 5-5 on the season. They are currently sixth but it's a tight race that sees only a three-point separation between fourth and sixth.

That could change this Saturday when the Canucks play here. The Canucks are just one point ahead of the Griz in the standings. Game time is 4:30 p.m.

Hawes says the div. 2 Griz are looking good. Many are playing their first year in this division after the core of last year's provincial championship team moved up to the premier league.

"Definitely, we have some big lads and we have a pretty young squad. The future is bright with us, I think. There's a lot of boys coming through the system and they performed awesome on Saturday. We put a pretty good scoreline up against them."

Foothills Lions vs Banff

The Lions, formed of Okotoks and Bow Valley players, came within a drop goal of the division-leading Banff team on Saturday in a close 27-24 game.

Hawes was impressed with how the Lions play.

"Banff has lost only one game this season and they took them to the wire."

Next for the Lions is an Aug. 28 match against the 1-8 Irish in Calgary. 

The Lions have a 3-1-5 record and currently sit seventh in the 10-team division. It's another tight race with only four points separating fourth from eighth place.