Vancouver, B.C. - The University of Victoria men's rugby fell to the University of British Columbia, 31-25, in a back-and-forth second-leg battle for the Wightman Boot trophy chase. The six-point win for UBC erased the Vikes' five-point win from leg one, crowning the Thunderbirds the 2023 champions.
 
UVic got the first points on the board in the 12th minute from an Alex Gamage field goal. The 'Birds responded two minutes later with a left-side try and a conversion for a 7-3 lead. An opening in centre field resulted in UBC running the ball in from the 22-metre line for the try and 12-3 berth.
 
In the 32nd minute, UVic threatened yards away from the try zone, but UBC was able to hold the defensive front. Four minutes later, the Vikes scored an impressive diving try into the left corner. Gamage missed the conversion, keeping UBC in the green with a tantalizing six-point lead going into the half.
 
UVic stole an early second-half try off the right flank to make it a one-point game before Ethan Smith added to the tally to bring UVic up 18-14.
 
UBC bounced back just minutes later, powering over the line. Riding UBC's momentum, another 'Bird found the try zone for a 28-18 UBC lead. The three-point margin was enough for a UBC victory but kept the Wightman Boot just out of reach.
 
In the 73rd minute, the Vikes were caught offside, resulting in a UBC penalty kick that would be the deciding score of the game. The Thunderbirds held the Vikes out of the try zone for the remainder to defend their winning six-point lead and re-claim the Wightman Boot.
 
The Vikes return to action Saturday, Nov. 4, at Westshore RFC.