Victoria, B.C. – The University of British Columbia men's rugby team (2-0-1) took an early lead over the University of Victoria (1-1) and never relinquished it, pulling away in the second half to secure a 43-26 victory in the first leg of the Wightman Boot, Sept. 20 at Victoria's Wallace Field.
The Thunderbirds struck early, quickly building a 10-0 lead. Starting off with a sixth-minute try by Callum Arneson off a ruck, it was followed by a breakaway down the left line by Ben Beauchamp to register the first two tries of the day.
The Vikes found their first score of the game in the 17th minute. Following a Vikes scrum near the goal line, Ryder Heaney-Corns got the ball and powered through the UBC defenders for the try. Adding a convert from Michael Oughtred, the Vikes were back within three, 10-7.
The 'Birds and Vikes traded tries over the final 20 minutes of the first half, with UBC's
Stephen Webb putting all seven points on the board with a breakaway try off a scrum and convert for the 17-7 Thunderbird lead in the 23rd minute. In the 34th minute, a Vikes lineout led to a pack push with Nic Willey carrying the ball, diving over the line for the try. Adding another convert by Oughtred, the Vikes were within three, 17-14, at the half.
UBC registered the first points of the second half, with Webb once again recording all seven points for the Thunderbirds, giving the visiting side a 24-14 lead in the 50th minute.
The Vikes and Thunderbirds traded tries over the next 20 minutes, with a 54th minute Vikes try by Oughtred being met with one from UBC's
Cody Nhanala in the 60th minute to keep the 'Birds on top, 29-19. Phoenix Moller's try and Oughtred's convert in the 64th minute brought the Vikes back within three, 29-26, but Webb struck again for UBC in the 70th in response. Along with a
James Biss convert, the Thunderbirds remained in front, 36-26.
Alastair Marshall sealed the win for the Thunderbirds, capitalizing on Vikes mistake to regain possession of the ball and returning it for the try. Biss added another convert to bring the final score to 43-26 in favour of UBC.
Both sides hit the road for their next contest, with the Vikes heading to Trinity Western University and the Thunderbirds heading to Capilano RFC for matches Saturday, Sept. 27.
SCORING SUMMARY
6' UBC try - #7
Callum Arnesen (convert missed) 5-0 UBC
9' UBC try - #15
Benjamin Beauchamp (convert missed) 10-0 UBC
17' VIC try - #8 Ryder Heaney-Corns (convert #10 Michael Oughtred) – 10-7 UBC
23' UBC try - #9
Stephen Webb (convert #9
Stephen Webb) – 17-7 UBC
34' VIC try - #3 Nic Willey (convert #10 Michael Oughtred) 17-14 UBC
HALF
50' UBC try - #9
Stephen Webb (convert #9
Stephen Webb) – 24-14 UBC
54' VIC try - #10 Michael Oughtred (convert missed) 24-19 VIC
60' UBC try - #8
Cody Nhanala (convert missed) 29-19 UBC
64' VIC try - #1 Phoenix Moller (convert #10 Michael Oughtred) 29-26 UBC
70' UBC try - #9
Stephen Webb (convert #10
James Biss) 36-26 UBC
74' UBC try - #13
Alastair Marshall (convert #10
James Biss) 43-26 UBC
