Rounsefell Cup champion Capilano scored 18 second-half points to down Lower Mainland rivals Burnaby Lake Rugby Club 21-9 im premier men's rugby last week.
The win sees the Caps stay on top of the Canadian Direct Insurance standings with a 3-1 record, while Burnaby dropped to 1-1.
Neither side was able to break through for a try in the opening half as their defences produced some bruising tackles and the water-logged pitch resulted in numerous handling errors.
Burnaby - dressed in special edition breast cancer awareness jerseys featuring bright colours and faces of past club players - were first on the board when No. 8 Admir Cejvanovic slotted the opening three points through a penalty.
The scoring was kept to a minimum until the 33rd minute when Burnaby captain Mike Gough was sent to the bin after repeated infringements at the breakdown. Capilano kicker Matt Yanigiya converted and drew the game level 3-3.
The closest either side came to scoring a try was a 50-metre dash by Burnaby centre Joe Dolesau, who nearly slid past the goal line but was chased down by his opposite number Nate Rees.
Cejvanovic would tack on another three points just before the half to put Burnaby up 6-3.
"Weather was certainly the equalizer and it was competitive, just as we knew it would be," said Burnaby head coach Kris de Scossa. "I think today showed that we had only played one game coming in and that this was Capilano's fourth of the season."
After the break, both sides were guilty of repeated infringements and the next yellow shown by referee Sherry Trumbull was Capilano centre Nate Rees. Despite playing a man down, Capilano was building momentum and after several drives into Burnaby's 22, were awarded with a penalty. Yanagiya added the three points and saw his side level at 6-6.
The first try came courtesy of Capilano second row and Canada under-20 graduate Adam Zaruba who thundered through for the score, leaving three tacklers in his wake. Yanagiya provided the extras and had the home side pulling away 13-6.
Cejvanovic would kick another penalty shortly after to go three-for-three on the day, but Burnaby's discipline again proved to be their downfall as prop Anthony Luca was shown a yellow in a pivotal moment in the game.
Yanagiya added his third penalty during the player advantage, and in the final play of the match, Capilano's forwards mauled their way towards the try line eventually seeing Robbie McCall over to make it 21-9.
"Burnaby are known for their toughness but I think we were the more athletic team today," said try-scorer Zaruba who credited the team's defence in holding their opponents try-less. "Last year when we won [the Rounsefell Cup] it was through strong defence. We still have some work to do there, but today we had some hard hits where we worked them down and pulled through for the win."
Next week, Burnaby will look to bounce back against the University of Victoria Vikes (1-2). Game time is 2:45 p.m. at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-East.
The premier women's team take on Bayside at 11:30 a.m. also at Burnaby Lake-East.
Canadian Direct Insurance Premier League - Sat. October 13th:
Burnaby Lake 9 - 21 Capilano RFC
Meraloma Rugby Club 20 - 13(+1) Castaway Wanderers RFC
James Bay AA 18(+1) - 22 UBCOB Ravens
UVic Vikes 22(+1) - 24(+1) Bayside AA
