VICTORIA – In a rematch of the 2009 Vancouver Island championship game, the UVic Vikes men's rugby team defied their no. 4 seeding on Saturday afternoon, edging the previously undefeated no. 1 James Bay Athletic Association 38-25.

Former Bays' scrum half #Phil Mack# led the Vikes' assault contributing a try and several line breaks to see the students run in six tries. The Vikes had lost four straight matches against the Bays heading into Saturday's contest and the win snapped James Bay's 17 game undefeated streak.

UVic hooker #Pat Riordan# ran in the first try before Mack undressed his marker with a chip kick, diving on the ball for a 12-8 lead. Riordan broke through for the third try to see the Vikes head into the break with a 19-8 lead.

The Blue Crush came roaring back with three tries of their own through Eric Forsythe, Dave Ramsay and Spencer Dalziel. But well-supported runs by a younger and craftier Vikes line put second row #Robert DeJong# over to record a brace.

“They are the rival team and they were undefeated all year,” DeJong said after the match. “Everyone was coming with speed and hitting hard and that's what got us the tries.”

The Bays were not without opportunities and despite several chances, including a five-on-two down the wing, their comeback came up short.

Phil Mack put on the finishing touch breaking through an exhausted Bays' line to give the Vikes solid field position before Vikes' flanker #Ryan Hamilton# dashed under the uprights for the final try. #Ben Grant# kicked his fourth and final conversion to upset the top-ranked team in the British Columbia Premier League.

“Every game that we win is obviously sweet but with that being my old club it gives us a little bit more bragging rights heading into the postseason,” Mack said.

The win sees the Vikes move to 8-2 with their final match of the regular season against the UBCOB Ravens. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:45pm at Wallace Field on Saturday, April 24.

Scoring Summary:
First Half: UVic 19, James Bay 8
Final: UVic 38, James Bay 25

UVic Vikes Scoring
Tries: Robert DeJong x2, Pat Riordan x2, Phil Mack, Ryan Hamilton
Conversions: Ben Grant x4

JB Scoring
Tries: Hugo Belanger, Eric Forsythe, Dave Ramsay, Spencer Dalziel
Conversions: Jeff Williams
Penalties: Jeff Williams