The UBC Thunderbirds grinded out a 29-7 victory over the visiting University of Victoria Vikes (3-2) on Saturday afternoon at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre to end the Canada West season with a perfect 5-0 record.
 
"It was a real game of rugby. Just what both teams needed," said UBC head coach Dean Murten. "Going into playoffs, we put some more detail into defence this week. We've just not been strong enough in defence and knew UVic would be a big challenge for us so we're really happy. Of course, they scored one try, but it was a good individual try."
 
Right out of the gates, the Thunderbirds held a long possession at the Vikes end line. Despite the pressure, the Vikes defence held UBC scoreless.
 

WRUG | @UBCRugby's Adia Pye races for the try in the first half.
The T-Birds having a great start to the game, leading 5-0 against UVIC. #GoBirdsGo

: https://t.co/TdjaH9qtA1 pic.twitter.com/FyIublOAjx

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 14, 2023

Thrilling breakaway runs for both sides threatened to end the deadlock, but the score remained tied all the way until the end of the first half. In the 39^th minute, Olivia Sarabura dished the ball out to Adia Pye who got past three UVic players to give the 'Birds a 5-0 lead.


 
Pye got her second of the game in the early minutes of the second half when she ran a Savannah Bauder pass into the try zone. Vikes' Maggie MacKinnon responded with a try and successful convert to lessen the gap to 10-7 for UBC.
 

WRUG | @UBCRugby's Olivia Sarabura contests for a try, giving the
T-Birds a 24-7 lead vs. UVIC! #GoBirdsGo pic.twitter.com/8AOHgOLZHe

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 14, 2023

UBC added to the tally with a try each from Bauder, Sarabura and Delaney Woods pushing the score to 29-7. With Saturday's victory, the 'Birds conclude their Canada West season undefeated and at the top of the table. The Vikes trail one spot behind, having only dropped two games all season, both to UBC.


 
"I'm certainly happy with 5-0 but going into the next game, we can't take anything for granted. Lethbridge will be very tough in Lethbridge. I don't care about the past results, it's all now looking at the next game and understanding that nobody is going to give us anything," added Murten.
 

WRUG | @UBCWRugby battled to a hard fought 29-7 victory over @uvicvikes to conclude the @CanadaWest regular season 5-0.

3rd-yr Centre Olivia Sarabura scored a try & spoke about habits at this time of year, while also acknowledging the squad's graduating seniors ! ????

: pic.twitter.com/nwQXNvGkzc

— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) October 15, 2023

Both teams will be heading to Alberta for the Canada West Final Four on October 19-22. The T-Birds will play their first game against the hosting Lethbridge Pronghorns on Thursday, October 19^th.
 

Scoring Summary
 
First Half
UBC – Try, 39' Adia Pye (Savannah Bauder convert unsuccessful)             5-0 UBC
 
Second Half
UBC – Try, 45' Adia Pye (Bauder convert unsuccessful)                              10-0 UBC
VIC – Try, 49' Maggie MacKinnon (MacKinnon convert successful)          10-7 UBC
UBC – Try, 57' Savannah Bauder (Bauder convert successful)                    17-7 UBC
UBC – Try, 65' Olivia Sarabura (Bauder convert successful)                       24-7 UBC
UBC – Try, 80' Delaney Woods (Kally King convert unsuccessful)             29-7 UBC