VICTORIA, B.C. – Taking on No. 4 Burnaby Lake RC at Wallace Field the University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team dropped the result 40-14.

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It was an unfortunate series of missed tackles that let the Vikes down as Burnaby Lake put up four tries in the second half of play with the UVic men holding them to a score of 14-7 going into halftime.
 
“I thought we played well for 60 minutes, we had a lot of chances,” said head coach of the Vikes, Doug Tate. “They capitalized on our missed tackles but everything else I was happy with.”
 
The Vikes were certainly a far more physical side than in last week's match up against the Castaway Wanderers, especially with the return of Adam Kleeberger (White Rock, BC) to their roster. Patrick Kay (Duncan, B.C.) was again at flyhalf although the U-20 Team Canada standout was paired with rookie James Pitblado, as Jamie MacKenzie (Oakville, ON) has been sidelined by injury.
 
It was Burnaby Lake that put up the first try of the game as Matt Alexander crossed the line after a nice offload from Joe Dolesau, James Reekie made good on the conversion to put the visitors up by seven.
 
The Burnaby try went unanswered and midway through the first 40 Burnaby scored again, and with another conversion were up by 14,
 
Just before the halftime whistle a converted try by Kay saw the Vikes close the gap to come within seven.
 
Heading into the second half of play the Vikes were counting on their speed and fitness to make it even with the visitors and a try by winger Beau Parker (Vancouver, BC) did not disappoint. Dodging several tackles on the touchline Parker cut inside with a quick step off of his right foot and crossed the goal line to earn the Vikes another five points. The conversion by Kay was good and the two sides were neck-and-neck at 14-14.
 
Burnaby pushed back and for several minutes of play were just inches from the try line. A series of scrums and lineouts seemed like the five points for the visitors were a done deal but led by Kleeberger, the Vikes played tough defense in their 22 and refused the opportunity.
 
Unfortunately, the Vikes were only able to hold off for so long and with a stolen scrum by Burnaby, Giuseppe Laudisio gave the visitors another five points and with Reekie adding the conversion the game was 21-14.
 
Three more tries for Burnaby sealed the deal and the Vikes were handed their second loss in as many games. Next up for the UVic men is an away game against the UBCOB Ravens, Mar. 23, 2:45 p.m. at Jericho Park in Vancouver.