LAS VEGAS – #David Spicer# led the UVic Vikes men's rugby team to their third straight win on Friday notching a try and four converts to down the no. 3 University of Utah Utes 43-22 in the first leg of their Southern U.S. Tour.

The Vikes handed the Utes their first loss of the 2009-10 season who were hot off a sweep of the Red Rock Rugby Tournament participants no. 4 Delaware and Utah Valley University.

#Nick Lubbe# went over twice for the Vikes and combined with tries from #Struan Robertson#, #Ben Grant#, #Keenan Horton# and #Cam Pierce#.

Vikes' captain Spicer tallied his third straight double-digit contribution adding a try and four converts on the day. In just three matches of their 2010 season, Spicer has kicked 16 conversions, two penalties and run in two tries for a team-high 48 points.

The Utes, who featured three U20 USA national players Naki Angilau, Kyle Denham and Randy Don Pati gave their northern visitors a tough match according to Vikes Head Coach #Doug Tate#.

“Utah had a talented scrum half and they really came at us with some hard running players,” Tate added after the win.

The Vikes will now spend the weekend supporting four of their team mates in the USA Sevens held in Las Vegas before completing the final match of their tour against the Arizona University Selects. The match is set for Tuesday, February 16 at 7pm in Scottsdale, AZ.

UVic Vikes Scoring (43)
Tries: Nick Lubbe x2, Dave Spicer, Ben Grant, Keenan Horton, Cam Pierce, Struan Robertson
Conversions: Dave Spicer x 4