VICTORIA— The University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team came to play this week, dominating against the Castaway Wanderers Sept. 20 at Wallace Field with a final tally 62-17. This match leaves them 2-1-0 in the Barnard Cup series, securing the Vikes a spot in the Cup final, tentatively set for Dec. 6.
 
Captain Remi Anctil led the Vikes in a physical first half, both teams fighting for the upper hand in scrums, with the majority of play taking place deep in the Castaways end.
 
Fullback Fergus Hall got the Vikes on the scoreboard first, sending a penalty kick high through the uprights for 3 points. Moments later, Crosby Stewart sped down the entire pitch off a pass from MacBryan Bos for their first try of the game. Hall converted the try, putting the Vikes ahead 10-0 halfway through the first half.
 
The physical play continued through the first 40 minutes, with the Vikes and Castaways playing defensively. In the final minutes of the half, Anctil sent a long pass to Stewart, who bombed down the right side of the pitch for his second try of the game. Hall again converted, bringing the score to 17-0.
 
Kevin Leask almost added another 5 to the tally, getting tripped up inches from the goal line.
 
The Castaways made it onto the board late in the first, with scrumhalf Kyle Armstrong pushing a hard-earned try past the Vikes goal line. The uncoverted try brought the score to 17-5 after 40 minutes of play.
 
The Castaways built on their momentum in the second, quickly adding another try to their tally from Steve Grdic, again uncoverted for 17-10.
 
Looking to rally, Kapi Vataiki picked up a stray ball to run it over the line, Hall earning the conversion, bringing the score to 24-10.
 
The Vikes continued to dominate in the Castaway's end. Bos scored the forth try of the game that went uncoverted, leaving them sitting at 29-10. Casey Cavers scored moments after Bos, bringing the tally to 36-10, Hall earning another conversion.
 
Vikes substitution Oli Nott powered through the goal line, adding another try to the Vikes score. Guiseppe duToit converted for a 43-10 tally with less than 20 minutes left to play.
 
Nott added another uncontested try in the final moments of play. The uncoverted try bringing the score to 48-10. Close to tasting victory, Vataiki passed off a nifty handover to Joseph Erlic, who scored the try. With a conversion from duToit, the Vikes led the scoreboard 55-10.
 
Seconds later, Noah Dobson added another try, converted by duToit for a 62-10 lead.
 
The Castaways finally saw a chance for redemption, pushing one last converted try across the line before the final whistle. With their last push, the final score was 62-17 for the Vikes.
 
"Well obviously it was a great score for our squad," said assistant coach Rick Farrally. "Our reserves showed very well and the front row held in the entire game."
 
"We do need to work on passing. Our fitness isn't the problem, just need to connect on more passes," added Farrally.
 
With this win, the Vikes secure a place in the Barnard Cup finals. Their next game sees them take on James Bay AA at MacDonald Park on Oct. 4 at 2:45 p.m.
 
 
Scoring Summary
Fergus Hall (4C, 1P)
Crosby Stewart (2T)
Kapi Vataiki (1T)
MacBryan Bos (1T)
Oli Nott (2T)
Casey Cavers (1T)
Joseph Erlic (1T)
Noah Dobson (1T)
Guiseppe duToit (3C)