Langley, B.C. – The University of Victoria men's rugby team punched its ticket to the gold medal match at the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championships with a 47-19 win over Memorial University, Nov. 17 at Willoughby Community Park.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Putting the first try of the match on the board in the 10th minute, Muiredach Casey powered his way over the line on the Vikes' second scoring attempt following a five-metre scrum. Adding a successful conversion by Rhys Patterson, the Vikes took a 7-0 lead.
• Memorial scored twice over the next 15 minutes to take a 14-7 lead with five minutes to play in the first half.
• A quick response in the 27th minute was set up by blocking the Seahawk's kick attempt, allowing the Vikes to swing the ball out to Alex Gamage who registered the try and pulled UVic within two, 14-12.
• With no time remaining in the first half, a pack push with Phoenix Moller carrying the ball gave the Vikes an additional five points. And with a Patterson conversion, the Vikes took a 19-14 lead into halftime.
• Opening the second-half scoring, a Moller diving try and Patterson convert extended the Vikes' lead to 26-14 in the 36th minute.
• The Seahawks found their lone try of the second half in the 41st minute, missing the convert to bring the score to 26-19 with Victoria still in front.
• Swinging the ball right after a successful scrum, Shane Rikley-Krindle was the recipient that ran the ball in for the try in the 45th minute. Patterson was once again successful with the convert to bring the Vikes' lead to 33-19.
• Quick steps followed by a leap over the line to touch the ball down was how Ryder Heaney-Corns put a try on the board in the 51st minute. Patterson once again made the convert to push UVic's lead to 40-19.
• Adding a final try as time ran out, Dylan Cleaver got the ball on the left side and ran it over the line for the try, and with a final successful conversion by Patterson, sealed the Vikes' win, 47-19. 

WORTH NOTING

• With the win, the Vikes return to the national final for the first time since the 2021 season.
• Patterson posted six successful converstions for the Vikes in the win.
• UVic once again had a balanced scoring effort, with six different Vikes scoring seven tries.
• Victoria's win over Memorial is their second in as many seasons, claiming a 52-15 win over the Seahawks at the 2022 national championships.
• The Vikes improve to 7-3 on the year with the win. 

UP NEXT
The Vikes play the winner of UBC/Guelph Sunday, Nov. 19 in the national final at 5 p.m.