VANCOUVER – The T-Birds were unable to make it four wins in four against the Victoria Vikes in the 2025-26 campaign, as on a beautiful day at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre it was the island outfit who claimed victory in the BC Rugby Premier League Semifinals.
 
The Vikes got off to a fast start with a try less than 10 minutes in, and never relinquished the lead. They led by 20 points at halftime, and while the 'Birds improved their play as the match went on, the gap proved to be too much to overcome.
 
"I think it was just possession," remarked UBC head coach Didier Banse on what he felt caused the early deficit. "We didn't do a good job of holding onto the ball and our guys were trying to chase the game when we were only 13 points down, and we didn't need to. And credit to UVic – they did a really good job in the first half of being able to build phases, and trust their skills with the ball in their hands."


 
It was Jack Marshall who got Victoria on the board in the seventh minute following a period of sustained pressure in the UBC end. Cooper Coats kicked a successful convert, and he continued to put points on the board with a pair of penalty kicks in quick succession later in the opening half.
 
The Thunderbirds did have some bright moments, including a dazzling individual run by Alastair Marshall after the opening try and a big charge led by Max McGavern and Stephen Webb late on in the frame. But they were unable to find paydirt, and Coats kept the pressure on by bursting through the heart of the UBC defence for a try on the final play before the break.
 
The Vikes started the second half strong as well, and were rewarded with another try in the 48th minute by Josh McIndoe.
 
Needing a spark, Cody Nhanala provided one as he got UBC on the board almost immediately following the restart with a great run through the middle of the pitch. Liam James' convert was successful, but the T-Birds were unfortunately unable to parlay that into some sustained momentum.


 
UVic increased their lead with a Reece Thompson try in the 64th, in addition to a third penalty kick from Coats with just five minutes remaining on the clock – the last of seven successful kicks on the day for him.
 
The Thunderbirds earned a couple of late tries to underline their improved play in the second half, with McGavern speeding down the left sideline for the score in the 77th, and Aidan Sutherland diving into the try zone on the final play of the match.
 
While their season is now over, the 'Birds will have just four short months until they're right back in action to begin the 2026-27 campaign.
 
"We're always about building," said Banse. "It's a long season, so for us it's about being able to peak at the right time and manage what we're doing in terms of the balance of school and being able to play some exciting rugby. We're still building towards some things, and hopefully next year with the new crop coming in we'll continue improving and be able to execute the way we want to play."


 
The Vikes will aim to upset the two-time defending champs UBCO Ravens in the BC Rugby Premier League Final next Saturday at South Surrey Athletic Park. The Ravens will enter with confidence after defeating James Bay AA 45-5 in their own semifinal.
 
 
SCORING SUMMARY
               1      2      F
UBC       0     21    21
VIC        20   17    37
 
7' VIC try - #1 Jack Marshall (convert #10 Cooper Coats) – 7-0 VIC
28' VIC penalty kick - #10 Cooper Coats – 10-0 VIC
31' VIC penalty kick - #10 Cooper Coats – 13-0 VIC
40' VIC try - #10 Cooper Coats (convert #10 Cooper Coats) – 20-0 VIC
HALF
48' VIC try - #19 Josh McIndoe (convert #10 Cooper Coats) – 27-0 VIC
50' UBC try - #8 Cody Nhanala (convert #10 Liam James) – 27-7 VIC
64' VIC try - #9 Reece Thompson (convert #10 Cooper Coats) – 34-7 VIC
75' VIC penalty kick - #10 Cooper Coats – 37-7 VIC
77' UBC try - #15 Max McGavern (convert #10 Liam James) – 37-14 VIC
80' UBC try - #19 Aidan Sutherland (convert #10 Liam James) – 37-21 VIC