The University of British Columbia Athletics

VANCOUVER, BC - The eighth seeded Trinity Western Spartans upset the number one ranked Victoria Vikes in their all-BC quarterfinal matchup at the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship on Wednesday at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium.
 
Matt Willemse was the Spartans hero, with his last second penalty convert giving the Spartans the 23-22 victory and sparking jubilant scenes from the large traveling contingent of supporters from Langley.
 
The Vikes opened the scoring with an 11th minute try, and it was a lead they weren’t to give up until the final kick of the game. Holding a narrow 15-10 advantage at the half. Victoria extended their lead to 12 with an early try in the second half, but Trinity Western never gave up and launched a stunning late comeback.
 
Willemse led the scoring for the Spartans with 13 points from three penalty goals and a two conversions, while Tamilore Awonusi and scored Trinity Western’s two tries.
 
Ethan Hager led the scoring for the Vikes with an eight point haul after a try and a penalty. Ethan Smith and Shane Rikley-Krindle also scored tries for the Vikes, with Logan Martin-Feek adding two conversions.
 
Awonusi was named Player of the Game for the Spartans, with Hager getting the honours for the Vikes. 
 
The victory saw the Spartans advance to the Championship semifinals where they will take on the winners of the quarterfinal between Laurier and McGill on Friday, Dec 2 at 5 p.m. Tickets for the game are on sale now and can be purchased here.
 
Victoria will compete in the Consolation semifinals, where they will meet the losers of the Laurier-McGill game on Friday at 11 a.m.

UVIC 22 – 23 TWU

First Half

UVIC - Try, Ethan Hager (Convert unsuccessful) 11’ 5-0
UVIC - Penalty Convert, Ethan Hager 16’ 8-0
TWU - Try, Tamilore Awonusi (Matt Willemse convert) 21’ 8-7
UVIC - Try, Ethan Smith  (Logan Martin-Feek convert) 27’ 15-7
TWU - Penalty Convert, Matt Willemse 29’ 15-10

Second Half

UVIC - Try, Shane Rikley-Krindle (Logan Martin-Feek convert) 39’  22-10
TWU - Penalty Convert, Matt Willemse  43’  22-13 
TWU - Try, Scott Bowers  (Matt Willemse convert)  56’  22-20
TWU - Penalty Convert, Matt Willemse  60’  22-23