VICTORIA- For a second consecutive game, The University of Victoria Vikes men’s rugby team registered over 60 points as they defeated the Nanaimo Hornets by a score of 68-22 in Nanaimo on Mar. 16.
The victory keeps the Vikes ahead of the Seattle Saracens who occupy the sixth and final playoff spot in the BC Premier League. Both teams have three games remaining on their schedules.
(Photo by Richard Abbot)
“Nanaimo was a determined squad today,” said Vikes head coach Doug Tate. “They made us work in every single break down and made us earn our possession of the ball.”
Before the game kicked off today, both teams stood together for a moment of silence to honour the victims of the recent tragedy in Christchurch, New Zealand.
“We got off to a quick start and scored two tries early before Nanaimo pushed back with excellent pressure and ball possession,” added Tate. “We were fortunate to score just before halftime to go up 26 – 17.”
(Photo by Richard Abbot)
The floodgates opened for the Vikes as they scored six tries in the second half to run away with the game and earn their seventh win of the season.
“It was a real physical game today. We were able to capitalize on a few of their turnovers in the second half but give the Hornets credit, they made us earn possession at every break down and their work rate never dropped despite the score getting away on them.”
Victoria had a total of 10 players score tries in the match and fourth-year Gradyn Bowd successfully kicked nine of his 10 conversion attempts to record a total of 18 points himself.
(Photo by Richard Abbot)
The Vikes will host Westshore next weekend on Saturday Mar. 23 at Wallace Field with the game scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m.