VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby squad will be back on Wallace Field this Saturday Nov. 29 to host the 2014 Vancouver Island Rugby Union Barnard Cup Final, faced with the Castaway Wanderers. The match is set to begin at 2.30 p.m.
 
Inaugurated in 1911, the Barnard Cup series is one of the longest sporting traditions in western Canada. The Vikes have won the cup 10 times, first in 1967 and last in 2008. Before UVic was established in 1963, the university operated as Victoria College and captured the cup in 1948 and 1949. The Barnard Cup is presented to the Victoria rugby champion each year, and is vied for local bragging rights.
 
This season for the Barnard Cup opening series, local clubs James Bay Athletic Association, the Castaway Wanderers RFC and the UVic Vikes were in a 2-1 three-way tie. The Castaway Wanderers secured their spot in the Barnard Cup final after defeating James Bay in a home game on Sep. 27 with a score of 29-14. Previously, the Bays had captured the cup an impressive 56 times, including a 12-year streak between 1971 and 1982. Last year, the Vikes fell to the Bays 26-23 in the Barnard Cup final.
 
The Vikes had been looking for a fourth-straight win against the Rowers last weekend but their opponent's late scoring to tie have the Vikes sharing second place with Capilano RFC in the CDI Premier standings, four points behind the UBC Thunderbirds leading with 29 points.
 
With this week's downpour, the soggy field will turn out to be an advantage for the Castaway Wanderers who rely on their physical strength. Despite their slow start-off this season, conceding two losses with the Vikes, the Castaways boast players with an experienced rugby background, good coaches, and national team players who will return from international games in Europe.
 
"The Castaways have a roster of big guys who come right at you and intimidate our forwards," said Doug Tate, Vikes men's rugby head coach. "I expect this weekend will be a really tough physical game."
 
The Vikes will rely on winger Joe Erlic, flanker Jeff Nishma-Miller, hooker Macbryan Bos and Guiseppe duToit, who all have affiliations with the Castaway Wanderers, their former club. Crosby Stewart and Luke McCloskey, will be in the lines again for their notable speed. Nishma-Miller and McCloskey both return to the field with experience from last year's Barnard Cup final against James Bay.

The Vikes will be forced to compete without flanker Pat Kay and international player Lucas Hammond who is away preparing for games against Wales, South Africa and Portugal, at the World Rugby Sevens series hosted in Dubai on Dec. 5.
 
This weekend's Barnard Cup final is set for 2.30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Wallace Field. Following the match, the Vikes men will be recognized for capturing the 2014 National University Rugby Sevens Championship.
 
The Barnard Cup final marks the last game of the 2014 calendar year. Up next, the Vikes will faceoff their provincial rivals, the UBC Thunderbirds in a home game on Wallace Field for the Wightman Boot series. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 17.