2017 McCormick Cup Playoff Preview

September 18, 2017

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2017 McCormick Cup Playoffs kick off this weekend; Photo via Brantford Harlequins RFC

It's that time of year! The 2017 McCormick Cup playoffs will begin this weekend. With many exciting possibilities, this year's McCormick Cup playoffs are bound to be a highlight of the season. Last year, the Brantford Harlequins were crowned champions for the first time since 2003. After yet another successful season, they are looking to repeat as champions. The 'Quins were undefeated on the Marshall Premiership season with only one draw at the hands of the Toronto Scottish. Out of the Marshall Championship, the Peterborough Pagans came out on top of a competitive table. They narrowly finished first over the London St. George's.

The McCormick Cup is a long-standing tradition in Ontario rugby; a term synonymous with Rugby Ontario. The Cup is the title championship for Rugby Ontario's Marshall Premiership & Championship Senior Men’s First Teams, along with the annual EORU Champion.

ROUND 1 - September 23, 2017

ROUND 2 - September 30, 2017

ROUND 3 - October 14, 2017

McCormick Cup FINAL - October 21, 2017


2017 MCCORMICK CUP FIXTURES, RESULTS


2017 MCCORMICK CUP BRACKET


PAST MCCORMICK CUP CHAMPIONS


Match-ups

(1) Brantford Harlequins vs. (16) Ajax Wanderers

With a second last-place finish in the Marshall Championship, the Wanderers receive the tough task of welcoming the defending McCormick Cup champion and undefeated Brantford Harlequins. The Wanderers finished with a 5-9-0 record and look to upset a strong Brantford side. Brantford was nearly perfect on the season, only suffering one draw against last year's McCormick Cup opponents, the Toronto Scottish. The 'Quins finished with a 13-0-1 record.


(2) Toronto Scottish vs. (15) Oshawa Vikings

Another Durham region club will be host to a strong Premiership side on Saturday. They welcome the second-seed Toronto Scottish to Thompson Field. The Vikes finished the 2017 season with an identical record to their 401 neighbour Ajax (5-9-0), but took the sixth-seed in the Championship with two extra bonus points. The Scottish are coming off of a strong season, as they had a 10-3-1 record in the Premiership. Their three losses came at the hands of the Brantford Harlequins (1), Balmy Beach (3) and the Markham Irish (4), while they were able to walk away with a draw in their final match against the Harlequins.


(3) Balmy Beach vs. (14) Toronto Nomads

The rivalry of two Toronto-based clubs renews as the Beach meet the Nomads once again in the first round of the McCormick Cup. Last season, the dominant Beach side came out on top, but the Nomads have something to prove. Balmy Beach finished their Premiership season with an 8-6-0 record, while the Nomads finished their Championship season with a 7-7-0 record.


(4) Markham Irish vs. (13) Waterloo County

The Irish were upset in last year's McCormick Cup playoffs by the Brampton Beavers, but they finished strong, taking the McCormick Cup consolation final. This year, they are ranked number four and look to prove themselves against a strong Waterloo County side. Waterloo dropped down to the Championship last season from the Premiership, but had a productive above .500 season in the Championship (8-6-0). They will come out looking to prove themselves against a tough Premiership opponent.


(5) Lindsay vs. (12) Barrie

The battle of the promoted. Lindsay RFC was promoted last year from the Marshall Championship to the Premiership, while Barrie RFC was promoted from the Toronto Rugby Union Keenan League to the Marshall Championship. Both promoted teams proved that they were worthy of the nod, having strong seasons in their respective leagues. Barrie finished third in the Championship with a 9-5-0 record and Lindsay finished fifth in the Premiership, after a .500 season (7-7-0).


(6) Bytown Blues vs. (11) London St. George's

The Bytown Blues come into the McCormick Cup as the #1 ranked club out of the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union. They will take the long trip to London to take on the London St. George's. The St. George's were favourites to get promoted out of the Championship this season, after narrowly missing out last season to Lindsay. Although they had a strong season (10-4-0), London placed second behind the Peterborough Pagans, but will be a definite possibility to make a deep run entering the 2017 McCormick Cup playoffs. After a perfect 10-0-0 season, the Blues were defeated in the finals of the Rugby Quebec Super League on September 9, 2017, but will be looking to stake their claim in Ontario's provincial rugby landscape.


(7) Crusaders vs. (10) Peterborough Pagans

The Crusaders from Oakville will travel to Peterborough to take on the Marshall Championship division champions on Saturday. The Pagans (11-3-0) will come out flying against their future league competitors, after a successful season in the Championship. The Crusaders finished with a 4-9-1 record in the Marshall Premiership, but strung together a few strong wins in mid-season play. They will look to crash the Pagans' promotion party with a win away from home.


(8) Stoney Creek Camels vs. (9) Aurora Barbarians

The Aurora Barbarians (2-12-0) will be demoted to the Marshall Championship next season. This does not mean that their season is over though, as they will host the Stoney Creek Camels at Fletcher's this Saturday. The Camels finished seventh in the Premiership with a 3-10-1 record. Aurora won their only two games against the Camels, so they will look to continue their winning ways against the Creek squad on Saturday.



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WANT MORE INFORMATION?

Kevin Baxter

Communications Coordinator - Rugby Ontario

647-560-4790 x 1006

kbaxter@rugbyontario.com


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