VICTORIA – The UBC Thunderbirds successfully retained their ownership of the historic Wightman Boot after a convincing 54-17 victory over the UVic Vikes in the second-leg of the two-game series Saturday afternoon at Wallace Field in Victoria.
The T-Birds maintain their strangle hold on the 'Boot' for a ninth straight season after completing the sweep of the two-game home and home series that began with a 22-7 first-leg victory over UVic on home soil back in mid-October.
UBC was keen to impose their will from the opening kick-off to both set the early tone while also trying to neutralize the boisterous Vikes home crowd. The visitors did make good on their game plan in dictating the pace of play and territorial advantage en route to a 25-10 lead at the end of the first half.
The 'Birds didn't let up after the break adding another 29 points in the second half to secure the win in what was a complete team effort at both ends of the field while compiling 54 points and only giving up two tries against. Standout T-Birds included
Jacob Bossi,
Jared Andrews Almack and
Takoda McMullin scoring two tries each to put the contest out of reach.
"We are at a stage in our season where coaches goal is to be redundant and the players can focus in on the job at hand," said UBC head coach
Curry Hitchborn when asked what allowed his squad to be so effective. "We controlled the ball early on through being direct and kept our foot down."
Saturday's matchup was the third overall meeting of the season in all competitions for the west coast rivals which included a UBC victory over UVic in the title game at the 2021 Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship in late November in Kingston, Ont. UBC reclaiming the banner after the Vikes had bested the 'Birds the last time the Championship was held pre-pandemic in 2019.
"UBC and UVic have such an important rivalry that should be a major focus for many," added Hitchborn in reflection of the healthy respect that exists between two great programs. "To retain the Boot for 9th straight year is an accomplishment unto itself. History shows that these sorts of runs are tough to maintain so we really honor each leg of the comp as we're all borrowing this success from future Thunderbirds who will have to take up the challenge and fight to keep the Wightman Boot here at UBC."
The T-Birds get right back at it on home field this weekend when they host UBCOB Ravens RFC, in BC Men's Premier Division action Saturday, March 26 with a 2:30 p.m. PT. kickoff at the Gerald McGavin Rugby Centre.
