VICTORIA, B.C. - The University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team head south across Victoria to Windsor Park for a meeting with the Castaway Wanderers on Oct. 24 in their bid for the Barnard Cup. After a 41-22 win under the lights of Centennial Stadium on Oct. 16 against James Bay Athletic Association, the Vikes improved their record to an undefeated 4-0. The Wanderers are close behind at 3-1.

Last week, the Vikes overcame their crosstown rivals James Bay for the second time this season but this time against the likes of Canada Sevens' stand out and former Vike Phil Mack. Mack returned to the island following Canadian rugby international duties at the Rugby World Cup in England this month.

"We've been working really hard in practice, and all the guys are coming out to play," said Vikes third year flanker Oliver Nott, who added two tries in the win over James Bay on Oct. 16. "Especially having come so close last season, it gives us that little bit more of an incentive to push harder and get what we didn't achieve."

The Vikes will be without that home atmosphere for the next three games, as they are on the road beginning Oct. 24 against the Castaways before visiting Westshore RFC and James Bay in the coming weeks.

The Vikes saw a different James Bay roster in their last victory and Vikes assistant coach Rick Farrally is expecting a similar situation against Castaway with different players coming to Vancouver Island for the chance to extend their seasons with its different teams.

"With guys coming back from international duties and seasons wrapping up in different parts of Canada, things are constantly changing," said Farrally of the lineups. "You can never take anything for granted. We're expecting a hard game with new elements to prepare against every week."

Earlier this season, the Vikes and Wanderers met on Oct. 3 at Wallace Field in a match-up featuring the only two remaining undefeated sides. The Vikes triumped in a close 29-23 clash where the Vikes held on for the win despite a strong late push from the Wanderers deep in Vikes territory.

Both the Vikes and the Wanderers, in addition to being the top two teams in the Barnard Cup standings are by far the most offensive teams with point differentials of +110 and +87, respectively.

The Vikes will put forth a healthy line-up that will be very similar to the roster put out by Vikes head coach Doug Tate on Oct. 16 against James Bay. However, fourth-year flanker Luke Campbell is out with an injury and the Vikes are still waiting for a fitness test on hooker Sawyer Herron to see it he'll be fit for the match. First year Bhiamie Williamson will start again at eight-man for the Vikes after a good performance in the Vikes' last victory.

Rotating the back row has been a recurring theme for the Vikes coaching staff all season, and the trend looks likely to continue. Players are offered more playing time through the change, and Farrally is confident in each player in the position to continue the Vikes' strong performance in that area.

"Every player we put there offers a different element to our game," said Farrally, who's in his 19th season coaching Vikes men's ruby alongside Tate. "But at the same time, all of them are at the same level and calibre." 

The Wanderers will host the Vikes this weekend, Oct. 24 at 2:45 p.m. at Macdonald Park in Victoria. The next Vikes home game won't be until Nov. 13 against the very same Castaway Wanderers at Centennial Stadium. The Vikes wrap up their regular season Barnard Cup action against Westshore RFC on Nov. 21.