VICTORIA – After conceding a 35-13 loss in their opening game of 2014, the University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby squad will look to rebound with a victory against Capilano RFC, Feb. 22 at Klahanie Park in Vancouver, B.C.
 
STANDINGS  /  SCORING LEADERS
 
Third-year Vike Nathan Stewart was the lone Victoria player to post a try in Saturday's loss, while teammate Pat Kay added a conversion and two successful penalty kicks for his squad.  Saturday's result dropped the Vikes to third in Premier League standings with 22 points, with first-place Burnaby Lake and James Bay AA now occupying the first and second spots with 30 and 26 points, respectively.
 
The Vikes will see the return of national team member Sean Duke to their roster for this weekend's match. Duke's presence will be a welcome addition for head coach Doug Tate with his combination of size, speed and experience.
 
With a victory, the fifth-place Capilano RFC (3-4) could potentially leapfrog fourth-place UBCOB Ravens (4-3) in the BCRU standings. Defence has been a strength for the Capilano this season, who have allowed the second-fewest points against (112) next to first place Burnaby Lake (83) this season.
 
"Capilano are a very physical team," explained Tate. "They are very tough to play against at home, they are always fit and always ready to compete."
 
Eighteen-year-old Matt Yanagiya has lead Capilano on offence so far this season . The brother of current Vike Nathan Yanagiya has put up 25 points in total, good for tenth-place overall in league scoring. Capilano head coach Tom Larisch also has ties with the Vikes, having won the Canadian University Rugby Championship with the Victoria squad in the 1998-99 varsity season.
 
The Vikes will aim for their first win of the new year, Feb. 22 when they face off against Capilano RFC. Kick-off for the Saturday tilt is set for 2:45 p.m. at Kahlanie Park.