VICTORIA - The Uvic men's rugby team fell to the visiting Burnaby Lake Rugby Club 42-35 in a back and forth match this afternoon at Wallace Field.
The tone of the game was set early on as Burnaby Lake received a yellow card within the first five minutes. UVic was able to capitalize as Nathan Hirayama slotted the teams first penalty kick putting the Vikes up 3-0. Burnaby Lake quickly countered with a string of impressive offloads which lead to winger Esava Nakalansia being able to run it in for the visitor's first try.
The Vikes were able to counter with fabulous speed on the outside by winger Keenan Horton. Horton was able to cross the line for the Vikes putting them ahead 8-5. Unfortunately Burnaby Lake would not be discouraged and was able to lock yet another try, this time by stand-off Rory McDonnell.
Penalties seemed to be the name of the game. Both teams were able to notch three more points each to their total before half time. At the half the Vikes trailed Burnaby Lake 15-11.
Line-outs were one of the strengths in the Vikes game during the second half. A text book line-out enabled rookie flanker Chase Kelliher to break through the defence and notch his first try as a Vike. UVic stand-off Nathan Hirayama was able to grab 2 extra points with a successful convert.
The Vikes lead would not last long. Burnaby Lake came back storming, scoring a three tries and a penalty kick in the second half. The UVic men were able to keep up with the high scoring mainland team. Great ball movement through the Vikes back line set the tone for an additional two tries.
With the game tied at 35 apiece and time running out it was a toss up who was going to come out on top. A missed penalty kick by Burnaby Lake's Geoff Ryan kept the ball in play just long enough for Burnaby Lake to regain possession. In the final seconds of the game Burnaby's hard running forward pack was rewarded with the final try of the game. A successful convert put the final score at Burnaby 42 UVic 35.
Next weekend the Vikes will be facing off against the Castaway Wanderers. Kick-off is set for 2:45pm at Wallace field.
UVic Scorers:
#Nathan Hirayama# (2 penalty kicks, 2 converts)
#Keenan Horton# (1 try)
Willem duPlessis (1 try)
#Brett Beukeboom# (1 try)
Chase Kelliher (1 try)
#Nathan Stewart# (1 try)
Burnaby Lake Scorers:
Geoff Ryan (2 penalty kicks, 3 converts)
Nate Mantle (1 try)
Scott Mackay (1 try)
Aaron Goddard (1 try)
Rory McDonnell (1 try)
Esava Nakalansia (1 try)
Adam Martin (1 try)
