Men's Rugby 12.03.2010

Island titans set to square off for Barnard Cup

VICTORIA – The UVic Vikes men's rugby team will have the rare opportunity to lift two major trophies in 2010, when they head to James Bay in hopes of capturing the Barnard Cup on Saturday.

GAME INFORMATION
Sat. Dec. 4 vs. James Bay AA (MacDonald Park) – 2:30pm

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This weekend sees reigning provincial champs UVic go head-to-head with the reigning Island champs James Bay. With a 6-2 record, the Vikes travel to MacDonald Park as the underdog against the undefeated 7-0 Bays.

The Vikes last lifted the Barnard Cup in 2008, when Canadian international Sean Duke scored a last-gasp try to edge the Bays 23-18 at home. In 2009, the Bays had the last laugh barreling over in the final minutes to edge the students 27-23. This will be the fourth consecutive year these two sides have squared off for the Island Elite title at MacDonald Park.

SCOUTING THE VIKES
The Vikes wrapped up their season with a dominant 43-17 win over Velox to post a 6-2 record. Both of their losses came at the hands of James Bay. Former Bays scrum half Phil Mack has sparked the Vikes offence for much of the season and set up numerous scoring opportunities. Winger Willem Du Plessis has also provided an offensive threat on the wing, recording a league-best 11 tries.

SCOUTING JAMES BAY
For their third consecutive fall campaign, the Bays have gone undefeated in the regular season. Led by Connor Braid's boot, the Bays averaged a league-best 46 points per game and held opponents to just 14.9 ppg. The Bays have not lost at home since May 8 when the Vikes upset them in the B.C. Premier League semi final.

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Players Mentioned

Sean Duke: Wing; 6' 2"; Fifth; Canadian Natinoal 15s and 7s (BC Bears)

Phil Mack: Scrum Half; 5' 8"; Third; Canada National 15s and 7s (Valley High)

Players Mentioned

Sean Duke
: 6' 2"; Fifth; Canadian Natinoal 15s and 7s (BC Bears)
: Wing

Phil Mack
: 5' 8"; Third; Canada National 15s and 7s (Valley High)
: Scrum Half