VICTORIA – The University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team opened their season off with a 28-17 victory over James Bay AA on Sept. 13 at Centennial Stadium. Second-year stand out Fergus Hall tallied 13 points in the game while three other Vikes added a try each.
 
The victory is the first of a three-game series, titled the Vancouver Island Inter-Union Championship, with the final prize being qualification for the prestigious Barnard Cup Finals set for Nov. 30.
 
In the opening half, the Vikes got on the board first as Hall scored on a penalty kick in the 14^th minute. Sawyer Herron scored a try in the 21^st minute and Hall made good on the conversion to give the Vikes a 10-0 lead. Three minutes later, James Bay's Taylor Dalziel scored a try but Ed Adams could not make good on the conversion, leaving the Vikes with the 10-5 edge entering the break.
 
The young Vikes were without eight regular starters due to the Canadian Rugby Championships in Ontario, while Wing Beau Parker was a late scratch after an injury in warm up.
 
James Bay AA, also in a rebuilding phase, found some comfort, scoring a try in the 42^nd minute from Dalziel. James Bay was unable to convert, keeping the game tied 10-10. The visitors continued to show a strong presence up front that was well combated by the UVic forwards.
 
Both teams started to lose their discipline at the end of the match as two yellow cautions were given out, one to each team for physical play. Meanwhile, on the scoreboard, Kane Wyatt and Dave Morgan each scored a try, while Hall made the conversion on one to lift the Vikes to a final score of 28-17.
 
FULL BARNARD CUP SERIES SCHEDULE:
Sept. 13: Vikes vs. James Bay AA (7 p.m., Centennial Stadium)
Sept. 21: Vikes @ Castaway Wanderers (2:45 p.m., WIndsor Park)
Sept. 28: Vikes @ Velox (2:45 p.m., Velox Rugby Club)
Nov. 9: Barnard Cup Semifinals (2:45 p.m., Location TBD)
Nov. 30: Barnard Cup Final (2:45 p.m., Location TBD)