VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team looks to make it seven wins in a row when they face rivals James Bay Athletic Association on Nov. 7 at MacDonald Park in Victoria. The Vikes are still riding an impressive 6-0 record with the addition of last weekend's 38-15 win over Westshore RFC.  James Bay's Oct. 31 match-up against the Castaway Wanderers was postponed due to weather, keeping their record at 2-3.
 
With qualification for the CDI Premier League all but sealed and three games remaining, the Vikes shift their focus to maintaining their undefeated record in Barnard Cup action. Mainland rivals the UBC Thunderbirds are doing much of the same as the Vikes but in their Mainland Cup, currently with a 5-0 record.
 
"There is always something at stake when we play against James Bay," commented Vikes assistant coach Rick Farrally, who stepped in for head Doug Tate who was away until recent at the Rugby World Cup in England. "James Bay are always well organized on defence and like to cut down our run game. The Barnard Cup is up for grabs and we are poised to play right up until the last game."
 
Scrum half and captain James Pitblado returns to the Vikes line-up after the roster was rotated in last weekend's game against Westshore. Fourth-year Vike Liam Chisholm is back from injury and Casey Reed will fill into the hook position, replacing injured third year Sawyer Herron.
 
Canada Sevens veteran Phil Mack will not be in the line-up for James Bay this weekend despite being the most prominent feature in the Vikes-James Bay match up on Oct. 16.  The former Vike will be shifting focus and training to his national team commitments instead.
 
The season series between the Vikes and James Bay in Barnard Cup action wraps up with this weekend's match, with the Vikes already 2-0 against their Victoria counterparts. The Vikes shut out James Bay in their first game of the season, 32-0, on Sept. 19 before winning 41-22 under the lights at Centennial Stadium on Oct. 16.
 
Kick-off is at 2:45 p.m. on Nov. 7 at MacDonald Park.