VICTORIA – A comeback attempt by the University of Victoria men's rugby team was foiled by the visiting Vancouver Island Tide, who scored on their final run to defeat the Vikes, 26-22 at Wallace Field, Sept. 25. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
31 Minutes Remaining – Tide 7, UVic 0

• The visitors muscled through the Vikes to score the first try of the afternoon, and followed with a successful conversion.

23 Minutes Remaining – Tide 7, UVic 5

• A quick pass to Nicholas Carson allowed the fourth year to barrel through the Tide wall protecting the try zone for the Vikes' first score of the game.
• The conversion attempt was not successful.

17 Minutes Remaining – Tide 14, UVic 5

• Breaking away from the Vikes, the Tide managed to extend their lead with another successful try and conversion.

Second Half
34 Minutes Remaining – Tide 14, UVic 12

• Opening the second-half scoring, Andrew Easson broke away from the Tide just behind the centre line, rushing up the right side. After quick back-and-forth passing with Carson, Easson got the ball over the line.
• Christopher Gamage was successful on the conversion, bouncing the ball off the left post to secure the two points and pull the Vikes within two.

31 Minutes Remaining – Tide 21, UVic 12

• In similar fashion to Easson just a few minutes earlier, the Tide broke away and rushed down the field for the try, followed by a successful conversion to extend their lead.

15 Minutes Remaining – Tide 21, UVic 15

• Setting up for a drop goal, Gamage sailed the ball through the uprights for three points.

6 Minutes Remaining – UVic 22, Tide 21

• A Shane Rikley-Krindle try and Gamage conversion gave the Vikes their first lead of the game, putting the Vikes up by one.

Final Seconds of Play – Tide 26, UVic 22

• Down to their last run in the final seconds, the Tide managed to get the ball across the try line for the match-winning play.

WORTH NOTING

• The Vikes spread the wealth with three different players collecting a try.
• Gamage went 3-for-4 on his kick attempts, coming up successful on two conversions and a dropped goal.
• The match served as the debut of the Vikes in the new Coastal Cup, a high-performance rugby league in British Columbia.

UP NEXT
The Vikes hit the road, taking on the Pacific Pride Saturday, Oct. 2 in Langford, B.C.