VICTORIA – The University of Victoria men's rugby team picked up an emphatic win over Burnaby Lake RC, 41-31, in their first home game of 2025, March 1 at Wallace Field.
What you need to know: Lachlan Crooks made his first start for the Vikes. Alongside the second year scrum-half was his roommate Jack Penaluna, making his debut on the wing. Gareth Sander secured his first cap for the Premier side, getting the nod at fly-half. Notably,
Jordy Auger made his return, with
Tanner Milligan back in the mix for Saturday's contest, as well. Finally,
Brendan Kim made it on to the pitch following a major battle with stomach aches.
After a penalty conversion from Gareth Sander,
Phoenix Moller barged his way in for the first try of the game. The Abbotsford product flexed his muscles, carrying several BLRC defenders over the line in the process. Sander was successful on the conversion, and the score stood at 10-0.
The Vikes could only endure the next BLRC onslaught for so long. Their forwards went over the try line, just before the 16th minute. The mainland side scored again, bringing the score to 14-10, upon the conversion.
Following several kicking exchanges and physical confrontations the Vikes found themselves bunched around the breakdown, warranting slick hands from BLRC. This resulted in a try in the corner for the visitors. Their fly-half's boot remained consistent; the ball went over for the 21-10 score, at half.
In the 44th minute, the Vikes recognized space out wide leading to some clever interplay between the backs. Still with work to do, Jackson Powell sprinted over, dotting the ball down. Sander pushed his kick just wide. The score read 21-15 in favour of Burnaby Lake.
Later, Auger stretched his fresh legs, leading to rumblings of a bionic ankle. Nonetheless, Auger bolted up the right sideline, dumping it off to
Alex Gamage for the try. Sander's boot connected, and the Vikes took the 22-21 lead in the 51st minute.
Five minutes later, BLRC demonstrated their resilience and experience, spotting some space around the ruck. Their scrum-half went on a tear up field to score under the sticks. Soon after, BLRC found themselves back on the board, albeit the conversion travelled wide. The Vikes had a big job ahead, down 31-22.
A brilliant go forward from the Vikes pack enabled an entry into the opposition's 22 metres. Crooks made sure to hit his mark, finding Gamage at the goal line. Gamage made no mistake in diving over the line for his second try of the match. The Vikes worked into contention, making the score 31-27.
Thereafter, the home squad ran away with it. In the 70th minute,
Adam Doane, deemed "Batman" by the Vikes men's rugby interim commentators, went streaking up the sideline to secure the lead for the Vikes. Sander elevated the score to 34-31, following his convert.
Vikes' captain
Merlin M'Cloud's pluck was on full display throughout the day. In heroic style, the flanker's nose began to bleed in the process of bumping off several BLRC defenders. M'Cloud offloaded the ball to Crooks, who nosedived into the try zone. The game was all but over at 41-31 for the Vikes, in the 78th minute.
The final two minutes was all theatrics for UVic, showing off their skill and athleticism. The highlight was surely
Alex Gordon going for an electric 30 meter run – this should find its way into film review, on Monday. The score remained 41-31 for the Vikes, at the final whistle.
Overall, the Vikes had a fantastic outing with fairly new combinations, throughout the backs especially. This should catapult the young side into their next match against a familiar foe, the Pacific Pride, set to take place on March 8 at Wallace Field.
