Meeting for the second time in three weeks, the University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby squad and Burnaby Lake RFC faced off Mar. 1 at Burnaby in a clash of the leagues top-two offences. A strong second half from the Vikes saw them falling just shy of the comeback, earning two points despite the loss.
 
STANDINGS  /  SCORING LEADERS
 
The Vikes received tries from Lukas Balkovic in the first half. While Remi Antcil, Haydn Evans and Doug Fraser answered for the Vikes in the second. Third-year Vike Pat Kay converted on three of four kick throughout the match.
 
Unlike last weekend's match at Capilano, the Vikes surrendered several first half scores in their Mar. 1 tilt, with Burnaby Lake opening up the game with a try to gain an early 5-0 lead. Burnaby's Scott Mackay and Joe Dolseau would then run in tries of their own to build up a 17-0 lead in the first half.
 
Victoria's Balkovic answered for the Vikes to cut the lead to 17-5, but the home club would answer once more before the half ended, holding a 22-5 lead heading into the break.
 
With the game at 27-5 after an early second-half try from Burnaby, Vike Antcil notched the Vikes second score of the game, while Kay converted on his kick to bring the Vikes point total up to 12. Evans followed up with a try of his own for the Vikes who were once again successful on the convert.
 
Now trailing by just eight, the Vikes continued their second-half offensive surge, with Fraser running in the third-straight try followed by another Kay convert.
 
Despite having momentum on their side, time would run out on the Vikes, who earned a pair of bonus points despite the loss as a result of scoring four tries and finishing within a point of Burnaby Lake.
 
The Vikes will next see action back at Wallace Field, Mar. 8 against James Bay Athletic Association.