VICTORIA - 28 points in the first half were more than enough for the University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team to cruise to a 49-17 victory over the Meralomas Rugby Club in Vancouver, B.C. on March 18.
The victory was the fourth in a row for a Vikes team that has exploded into life in the second half of their schedule after a difficult start to their season. Now sitting at a record of 7-9, the Vikes are tied with James Bay at 39 points for the sixth and final playoff spot in the B.C. Premier League.
Brennig Prevost led the way offensively as the second-year Vike from Victoria recorded two tries and added six successful conversions on the day. The Vikes were attacking from everywhere in the game as
James Pitblado,
James O'Neill,
Jackson Matthews,
Jack McCarthy and
Spencer Cooper all added a try apiece.
In the first thirty minutes of play Pitblado, Prevost and O'Neill had all crossed the try line with Prevost hitting all three conversions to give the Vikes a commanding lead.
"Too much speed and accuracy," said Vikes head coach
Doug Tate on his teams' early play.
Right before half time Prevost found pay dirt again before
Jackson Matthews touched down to send the teams into the break with the Vikes up 28-3.
After weathering a 'Lomas push at the start of the second half, the Vikes answered though McCarthy with 25 minutes left in the game. Cooper rounded out the scoring with a nice try right before the final whistle.
"Overall some very good team tries today by a faster, fitter Vikes team," said assistant coach
Rick Farrally. "The whole pack played well."
Standouts on the day were
Aidan McMullan,
Logan Martin-Feek,
Gavin Kratz as well as
James O'Neill.
Next up for the Vikes is a game at Wallace Field this Saturday, where they will take on Westshore on March 24 at 2:30 p.m.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st 2nd F
VIC: 28 21 49
MER: 3 14 17
SCORERS
Brennig Prevost (2T, 6C),
James Pitblado (1T),
James O'Neill (1T),
Jackson Matthews (1T),
Jack McCarthy (1T),
Spencer Cooper (1T).
