NORTH VANCOUVER – The UVic Vikes men's rugby team was dealt their second loss of the season on Saturday afternoon when the absence of their top scorers saw them stumble on the road, falling 31-22 to Capilano RFC.

Recent injuries to Canadian internationals #David Spicer# and #Nathan Hirayama# who have combined for 142 points this season had the Vikes without their tactical kickers at Klahanie Park.

The students went into the break leading 12-10 with tries from #Sean Duke# and #Ben Grant#. But despite adding another 10 points in the second frame, Capilano were dominant for a 20-minute stretch that saw them take the lead.

The Vikes came close to reversing the 24-22 score line but a converted Capilanos try with less than five minutes on the clock put the game out of reach.

“Unfortunately our kicking game was poor today without Spicer and Hirayma in our lineup,” Vikes head coach #Doug Tate# said. “We were dominant in the set pieces but it was our tactical kicking that ultimately cost us.”

Now boasting a 7-2 record, the loss sees the Vikes slip into fourth place in the CDI Premier League standings. The trip to North Vancouver was the Vikes fifth consecutive road game with their final two contests of the regular season to be played at Wallace Field.

Next weekend the Vikes return home to face off against league-leaders James Bay. The undefeated Bays came from behind on Saturday afternoon to defeat Meralomas 19-12 and now move to a perfect 9-0 during the 2010 season.

The battle for Vancouver Island supremacy is scheduled for 2:45pm on Saturday April 17th at Wallace Field.

UVic Vikes Scoring (22)
Tries: Sean Duke, Ben Grant, #Pat Riordan#
Conversions: Ben Grant x2
Penalties: Ben Grant