Langley, B.C. – The University of Victoria men's rugby team defeated Queen's University, 40-19, in the quarterfinal round at the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championships, Nov. 15 at Willoughby Community Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Muiredach Casey put the Vikes on the board, using the help of the Vikes forwards to find space and get the ball down over the line for the first try of the day. A convert from Alex Gamage gave UVic a 7-0 lead in the fourth minute.
- A five-metre scrum for the Vikes saw Ethan Smith pick up the ball and swerve around Queen's defenders for the try and 12-0 lead in the seventh minute.
- Jordy Auger flew forward to score the try and add to the Vikes' lead in the 12th minute, adding a convert by Gamage for the 19-0 Victoria lead.
- Breaking away downfield, Morgan Di Nardo ran the ball 65 metres and over the line for his first try of the tournament. Gamage added a successful conversion for the 26-0 lead in the 23rd minute.
- Adding a final try before the end of the first half, Shane Rikley-Krindle found Smith on the move, who registered his second try of the day with the score. Gamage's convert brought the halftime score to 33-0 in favour of the Vikes.
- Queen's opened the second-half scoring, putting seven points on the board in the 36th minute to bring the score to 33-7.
- Diving over the line for the try in the 39th minute was Rikley-Krindle, and with a Gamage convert, put the Vikes ahead, 40-7.
- The Gaels added two tries and one convert in the final 20 minutes of play to finalize the score of 40-19 for Victoria.
WORTH NOTING
- The Vikes' six tries were scored by five different athletes.
- Victoria's appearance in the championship semifinal at the national tournament will be the team's first since the 2021 season.
- UVic defeated its next opponent, Memorial, 52-15, in the fifth place game at the 2022 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championships.
- The Vikes move to 6-3 on the year with the win.
UP NEXT
The Vikes face Memorial University in the championship semifinals Friday, Nov. 17.
