VICTORIA – The anticipation of playing their first home game nearly one month into their B.C. Rugby Union Premier League season was on display in an explosive first half, as the University of Victoria Vikes put on a offensive showcase Saturday afternoon at Wallace Field.

The Vikes scored all but 10 of their points in the first half and coasted to a 44-24 victory over the Westshore Valhallians.

"I think the boys definitely came out with a little more edge today. It's a great feeling to be back at Wallace and use that home field to our advantage," said Vikes winger Liam Mahon.

Jenner Teufel got the Vikes going three minutes in with a penalty goal. The Valhallians tried to answer with a penalty goal of their own four minutes later, but Spencer Jones sailed the kick wide. Jones ended up going 2-for-5 on kicks in the afternoon.

The Valhallians grabbed the lead a short while later when Mitch Drew pounced on a loose ball deep in Vikes territory for the easy try.

In response, Mahon was the beneficiary of some pretty passing, as Spencer Cooper and Gavin Kratz kept the ball moving until Mahon had enough space to run in for the try.

Coming out of a scrum in Valhallian territory, Nick Carson used a ball fake to fool his defender, opening a gap for him to plunge in for the try.

Noah Bain supplied the first of two tries on the afternoon for the Vikes as he took a pass from a teammate who was getting hauled down. The hook-and-ladder play in the 24^th minute put the Vikes comfortably ahead 20-7.

The Valhallians answered with their final try of the first half when Bryce McKinnon had to move a few piles, put his nose down and grind for the try. Jones missed the convert in the 28^th minute.

Jonas Robinson flicked a one-handed pass over to Gabriel Casey in the 38^th minute and he later intercepted a kick from Shane Dagg where he found Logan Martin-Feek for a pair of tries.

The Vikes went into half with a 34-12 lead.

The Valhallians regrouped during halftime and opened the second 40 with a try from Dagg, who was left wide open after a scrum in the Vikes' zone.

Aside from another try in the closing minutes, that was all the Vikes allowed.

"We got a little complacent to start the second half. We need to work on holding our leads in the second half moving forward against some of the top teams in the league," said Mahon.

Lockie Kratz notched a try in the 63^rd minute and Mostyn Findlay found Bain on a backhanded shovel pass for another try in the 72^nd minute.

The Vikes will look for a similar effort when they continue their five-game homestand by taking on the Pacific Pride on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Wallace Field.
 
Scoring summary
 
WES 12-12--24
VIC 34-10—44

First half

3' VIC PG- Jenner Teufel good – VIC 3-0

7' WES PG – Spencer Jones not converted – VIC 3-0

10' WES TRY – Mitch Drew (Spencer Jones convert) – WES 7-3

13' VIC TRY – Liam Mahon (Jenner Teufel convert missed) - VIC 8-7

20' VIC TRY – Nick Carson (Jenner Teufel convert) - VIC 15-7

24' VIC TRY – Noah Bain (Jenner Teufel convert missed) - VIC 20-7

28' WES TRY – Bryce McKinnon (Spencer Jones convert missed) - VIC 20-12

34' VIC TRY – Gabriel Casey (Jenner Teufel convert) – VIC 27-12

39' VIC TRY – Logan Martin-Feek (Jenner Teufel convert) – VIC 34-12

Second half

48' WES TRY – Shane Dagg (Spencer Jones convert missed) – VIC 34-17

63' VIC PG – Lockie Kratz - VIC 37-17

72' VIC TRY – Noah Bain (Jenner Teufeul convert) – VIC 42-17

78' WES TRY – Tyler Symon-Burke (Spencer Jones convert) – VIC 42-24