VICTORIA, B.C. – The University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team will be on the road again this weekend as they take on the Castaway Wanderers, Mar. 21, at Windsor Park in Victoria. With just three weekends away from playoff season, the Vikes are set on pocketing wins to secure home field advantage for the Premier league semi-finals.

CDI PREMIER STANDINGS

Although UVic and UBC are currently tied at 40 points in the standings, the Vikes (8-2-1) sit above their mainland rivals with only two losses this season compared to UBC's 8-3 record. Last weekend, Mar. 14, the Vikes dropped the Vancouver Rowing Club, 25-20, in Vancouver. Victoria saw three tries from second years Fergus Hall and Crosby Stewart, while Hall made the successful converts in the win. 

The Castaways will be looking for a bit of redemption this weekend as they sit at the bottom of the table after two back-to-back losses to the UBCOB Ravens on Mar. 14 and Capilano RFC on Mar. 7. Over the years, they have proven to come off strong late in the second half of the season. Leading the team in scoring is Keenan Horton with 40 points (4 tries, 7 converts) and international player John Braddock. 

Both teams last played each other during the Barnard Cup final on Nov. 29 at Wallace Field, where the Vikes came out with a 35-17 victory to reclaim the prestigious title. Previously, the Castaway Wanderers had captured their spot in the final after defeating then five-time Victoria rugby champions James Bay Athletics Association, 29-14, in a home game on Sept. 27. 

The Vikes have shown their depth as a team despite key players away on international commitments or due to injury. So far, Hall secured six converts and two penalty kicks in four games played, while Doug Fraser and Stewart have shown to be major game contributors. Senior Dustin Dobravsky and second year Jeff Nishima-Miller will be relied upon to drive the momentum forward.

Both teams kick off at Windsor Park in Victoria at 2.30 p.m. The weekend after, Mar. 28, the Vikes will host Capilano RFC in a game that may decide playoff hosting rights.