Vikes capture first leg of Wightman Boot

VICTORIA - The University of Victoria Vikes men's rugby team defeated the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, 24-19 at Wallace Field, Oct. 14 to capture the first leg of the Wightman boot.

The Vikes started the game strong by controlling territory and capitalized on UBC errors in their own end with penalty kicks from fullback Alex Gamage in the fifth and eighth minutes to go up 6-0.

The game then settled in a bit and both teams had opportunities in the opponent's end but came up short until the 33rd minute, in which the Thunderbirds took advantage of a lineout on the Vikes 5-metre line to set up a maul and a score from their hooker. The conversion was successful, making the score 7-6 for UBC, which would remain at the end of the half despite some back and forth play in the waning minutes of the period.

The Vikes struck first in the second half, laying on the pressure with an extended effort deep in UBC territory that resulted in a penalty kick from flyhalf Rhys Patterson to reclaim the lead for the Vikes at 9-7.

UBC struck back in the 53rd minute, taking advantage of a maul near the UVic 22-metre line and a string of broken plays to score a try from the winger; an unsuccessful conversion made the score 12-7 for the visitors.

In the 60th minute the Thunderbirds extended their lead with a methodical drive into Vikes territory that lead to a try from their inside centre. The conversion was successful, making the score 19-7.

The Vikes were not done though, and, fueled by strong play from players off the bench, upped their energy and physicality in the final 15 minutes. After a long run of patient and hard-nosed attack inside the opponent 22, captain and inside centre Andrew Easson burst through for the try. Patterson successfully converted to tighten the score to 19-16 for UBC.

Easson made his mark again shortly after by forcing a penalty inside UBC territory that Patterson converted to even the score at 19-19.

The Vikes continued to put pressure on UBC at the breakdown and in the 74th minute, took advantage of a penalty to secure a lineout at the Thunderbird 5-metre line. Like they have done several times already this season, the Vikes went to the maul, which hooker Jack Marshall cashed in for the try; an unsuccessful conversion made the score 24-19. The Vikes were then able to secure possession and kick the ball out as soon as time expired.

This was the first of two legs for the Wightman Boot, with the second leg being played Saturday, Oct. 28 at UBC. Following the game, the Wightman Boot trophy will be awarded to the team with the highest aggregate score over the two fixtures.

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Players Mentioned

Andrew Easson: Fly Half; 6' 0"; Fourth; Oakville Crusaders (Oakville Trafalger High School)

Rhys Patterson: Outside Half; 5' 10"; First; Canada U18 Rugby (Stouffville District Secondary)

Jack Marshall: Prop/Hooker; 5' 10"; First; Swilers RFC (Gonzaga High School)

Alex Gamage: Fly Half; 5' 10"; First; Calgary Saints (Henry Wise Wood High School)

Players Mentioned

Andrew Easson
: 6' 0"; Fourth; Oakville Crusaders (Oakville Trafalger High School)
: Fly Half

Rhys Patterson
: 5' 10"; First; Canada U18 Rugby (Stouffville District Secondary)
: Outside Half

Jack Marshall
: 5' 10"; First; Swilers RFC (Gonzaga High School)
: Prop/Hooker

Alex Gamage
: 5' 10"; First; Calgary Saints (Henry Wise Wood High School)
: Fly Half