Victoria, BC – The University of Victoria men's rugby team battled the Castaway Wanderers to a 31-24 win, Dec. 6 at Wallace Field.
Back-and-forth first-half scoring led to the Vikes trailing at the break.
- Castaway opened the scoring with a breakaway try in the 14th minute of the match. With a successful conversion, the Wanderers captured an early 7-0 lead.
- Victoria wasted no time answering the Wanderers' opening score as Phoenix Muller powered his way over the try line. Gareth Sandner split the uprights to complete the seven-point score.
- With the first half nearing an end, the Wanderers broke through the Vikes' defence for their second try of the half. This score allowed Castaway to retake a 14-7 lead.
- In the last play of the first half, Marcus Lott broke free down the sideline as he glided into the Wanderers' try zone untouched. With the try, the Vikes cut the Wanderers' lead to 14-12 at the conclusion of the first half.
Vikes hold on in exciting second half
- Hunter Hannaford danced through the Wanderer's defensive line to get the scoring started in the second half. Hannaford's try, along with Sandner's conversion, propelled Victoria to its first lead of the game.
- The Vikes continued to push offensively as Morgan Di Nardo chased down a kick and, with no Wanderers in sight, he dove over the try line to extend the Vikes' lead. Sandner converted another kick and put the Vikes in front 26-14.
- Looking to secure the win, Morgan Di Nardo touched the ball down and pushed the Vikes' lead out further to 31-14.
- Seconds after the Vikes' score, the Wanderers answered with a try of their own. This score cut into the Vikes' lead and made it a 31-19 game with seven minutes left to play.
- The Wanderers continued their comeback efforts as they scored another try in the 76th minute to make it a 31-24 game.
- The Vikes' defence held strong to fend off the Wanderers and secure the win.
The Vikes will take an extended break and return to the field to take on Meraloma, Jan. 24.
