Marshall League Playoffs kick off this weekend

August 09, 2018

McCormick Cup Seeding and Promotion/Relegations to be determined in Marshall League Playoffs

The Ontario League Playoffs kick off this weekend as Marshall Championship and Premiership teams fight for seeding in the McCormick Cup Playoffs. There are also other consequences at play as there are possible relegation and promotion scenarios facing multiple teams. For more information, be sure to check out the possible scenarios noted below in our match previews.

Premiership Playoff

Brantford Harlequins (West Prem 1) V Lindsay RFC (East Prem 2)

Brantford is looking like the favourite for a third straight year going into the Marshall Playoffs. They finished the season with a 9-1 record. Don’t count out Lindsay, though as they could be the giant killer in their round one match up with the Harlequins. Lindsay finished their season at an even 5-5, placing second in their division. Brantford is coming off a victory over the Crusaders in their last game of the season and Lindsay is bouncing back from a loss to the Toronto Scottish. The last time Brantford and Lindsay matched up was July 7,2018, where Lindsay handed Brantford their only loss of the season. Lindsay will be looking to see if they can make lighting strike twice this Saturday.

Game: August 11^th at 1:30pm ET at Harlequins RFC

Toronto Scottish (East Prem 1) V Markham Irish (West Prem 2)

The Toronto Scottish are looking like strong contenders from the East Division of the Marshall Premiership. They finished off their regular season with an 8-2 record, making them top dog in the east division. Markham is looking strong as well with a 7-3 record, therefore making this an interesting fixture between two evenly matched teams. The Scottish are feeling good after cruising to a win over Lindsay to finish off the season. The Irish had a convincing win over Stoney Creek to cap off the regular season, beating the Camels 67-10. In the last time these two clubs met, it was a tight spirited affair but the Irish eventually pulled away with a 26-21 victory.

Game: August 11^th at 1:30pm ET at Fletchers Fields

Crusaders (West Prem 3) V Peterborough Pagans (East Prem 4)

Crusaders and Pagans are both finishing off their regular seasons with 2-8 records and are looking to finish off the season strong with a possible birth in the finals for the plate. The Crusaders fell to the defending champion Brantford Harlequins in a close game 34-27. The Peterborough Pagans finished off their regular season campaign with a loss to Balmy Beach at 44-27. Crusaders and Pagans last met on July 7, 2018 at Crusaders Rugby Club. Peterborough got the better of the Crusaders beating them 38-26 in a close game.

Game: August 11^th at 3:00pm at Crusaders Rugby Club

Balmy Beach (East Prem 3) V Stoney Creek Camels (West Prem 4)

Balmy Beach finished off the regular season with a 5-5 record and placed third in the East Premiership division. Stoney Creek finished the regular season at 2-8 but are looking to make so noise come playoff time. Balmy Beach had a convincing win over the Peterborough Pagans in the last game of the season, building upon their momentum going into the playoffs. Stoney Creek dropped their season finale to the Markham Irish 67-10. Last time The Beach and Camels met July 7, 2018. It was a very close game with The Beach edging out Stoney Creek 33-28.

Game: August 11^th 3:00pm at Tubs and Gee Gage Field

Crusaders, Peterborough, Balmy Beach and Stoney Creek are fighting to avoid relegation to the Marshall Championship Division. Check out this document for possible scenarios.

Championship Playoff

Waterloo County (West Champ 1) V Barrie RFC (East Champ 2)

Waterloo County closed off their season on top of the West Championship division with an 8-2 record. Barrie finished second in the East Championship division with a 4-6 record. Waterloo County closed out their season with a massive win over the Burlington Centaurs to secure top spot in the west division, while Barrie beat the Oshawa Vikings 50-14 in decisive fashion, building momentum for them going into the playoffs. Waterloo County and Barrie RFC last met June 23, 2018, where Waterloo County pulled out a nail biter 40-35 victory.

Game: August 11^th at 3:00pm at Bluevale Collegiate

Ajax Wanderers (East Champ 1) V Burlington Centaurs (West Champ 2)

Ajax Wanderers are riding high after edging out the Aurora Barbarians 20-17 in their final match. Ajax finished their regular season with a 6-4 record. Burlington had a strong regular season, finishing second in their division with an 8-2 record. Burlington lost their final match of the season to Waterloo County 27-14. The last time Ajax and Burlington did battle this season was on June 16, 2018. The Centaurs got the better of the Wanderers 59 -17. Both teams have something to prove being the two top teams from their respective divisions and both looking to be promoted into the Premiership.

Game: August 11^th at 3:00pm at Ajax Wanderers Rugby Club

Waterloo County, Barrie, Ajax and Burlington all have the opportunity to be promoted to the Marshall Premiership. Check out this document for possible scenarios.

London St George’s (West Champ 3) V Oshawa Vikings (East Champ 4)

London St. George’s were victims of a strong division, as they placed third with a 7-3 record in the West Championship. The Oshawa Vikings finished last in their division with a 3-7 record. London is coming off a large-margin win over the Nomads, carrying confidence into the first round of the League Playoffs. Oshawa is coming off a loss to Barrie and are looking to bounce back from what was a tough final stretch of the season. Oshawa and London met earlier this season on July 7, 2018. London cruised to victory over the Vikings, winning 40-8.

Game: August 11^th at 3:00pm at London St. George’s RFC

Aurora Barbarians (East Champ 3) V Toronto Nomads (West Champ 4)

The Toronto Nomads struggled this season with an 0-10 record and are looking to fight to remain in the Marshall. The Aurora Barbarians are coming off a loss, losing a close one to the Ajax Wanderers, 20- 17. The Aurora Barbarians finished off their campaign with a 4-6 record. Last time the Barbarians and the Nomads met was June 23, 2018 when Aurora got the better of the Nomads 47-10.

Game: August 11^th at 3:00pm at Fletchers Fields

London, Oshawa, Aurora and Toronto Nomads are fighting to avoid playing in the Intermediate Cup and possibly being relegated out of the Marshall. Check out this document for possible scenarios.

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