Vancouver, B.C. – The University of Victoria men's rugby team fell in heartbreaking fashion to Trinity Western University in the opening game of the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championships, Nov. 30 at Thunderbird Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Putting the Vikes on the board, a show-and-go from Ethan Hager led him to the right side of the end zone for the try, giving the Vikes the 5-0 lead in the 11th minute.
- Extending UVic's lead via penalty goal, Hager sent the ball through the uprights for the 8-0 Vikes lead in the 16th minute.
- Trinity Western scored a try and convert in the 21st minute to make it a one-point game, 8-7, with the Vikes still ahead.
- Adding one more score before the end of the half, Ethan Smith touched the ball down between the posts for the try in the 27th minute and was followed by a convert from Logan Martin-Feek for the 15-7 Vikes lead.
- A penalty goal from the Spartans with no time left made it 15-10 in favour of the Vikes at the half.
Second Half
- Shane Rikley-Krindle opened the second-half scoring in the 39th minute, taking the hand-off from Gabe Casey into the end zone for the try. Adding a convert from Martin-Feek, the Vikes went ahead, 22-10.
- The Spartans used a 43rd minute penalty goal and try and convert in the 56th minute to pull within two, 22-20.
- With no time left in the match, the Spartans were successful on a penalty goal attempt to win the game, 23-22.
WORTH NOTING
- The Vikes' loss to the Spartans marks their first to TWU since 2019. The Vikes were 4-0 against the Spartans previously.
- Victoria recorded four different point-scorers in the match in Hager (8), Smith (5), Rikley-Krindle (5), and Martin-Feek (4).
- The Vikes move to 5-5 on the fall 2022 season with the loss.
UP NEXT
The Vikes will face the loser of the Laurier/McGill matchup Friday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m.
