The Bow Valley Grizzlies are the team to beat in the Calgary Rugby Union's men's recreational league.

They remain undefeated after seven games and want to make it eight straight when they host the Banff Bears this Saturday in Mitford Park at noon.

Despite Banff's 5-3 record, you can expect a battle between these two rivals. Grizz head coach Tyler Hawes says they don't the Bears lightly.

"I'm expecting a pretty hotly contested match and these guys come to play every time," says Hawes. "So yeah, the boys are pretty pumped up to see them. We've got our last session tonight (Thursday night) before the game. I think they'll be ready and roaring for Saturday's game."

The Grizz have already beaten the Bears twice this season, winning the last one 35-3 on home turf. It means Bow Valley has already claimed the annual Bears Cup and the bragging rights that come along with it.

Hawes says the cup will likely be presented at Saturday's match.

Currently, the Red Deer Titans are ranked number one in the league but the Grizz are right behind them with two games in hand. The Grizz beat them earlier this season.

"They've been looking really good. We play them the week after this, so that'll be another big match. We'll see how this one goes this weekend, first of all, but yeah, we have a couple of big ones coming up down the stretch."

The Grizz have allowed a mere 46 points this season, and no one has come close to cracking their defence. 

"The boys have been gearing up on the defensive side of the ball, for sure," says Hawes. "They've had the attitude that they don't want anybody to cross their line. I'm really liking it."

On the other side of the ball, the Grizz have scored 358 points against their rivals.

"It's come down to the effort and willingness to work for their goals. They're putting in a tonne of work on it."

Next weekend the Grizz have an important home game against the Titans. A win would punch their ticket into the Sept. 16 championship game.

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