The UVic Vikes men’s rugby team kicks off their 2010 Premier League campaign against the squad that edged them out of last year’s playoffs when they host the Bayside Sharks this Saturday.
GAME INFORMATION
Sat. Feb. 6th vs. Bayside Sharks (Wallace Field) – 2:45p.m.
VIKES PREMIER LEAGUE HISTORY
2009 Record: 6-4-1 (7th Overall)
Last Title: 2003
SCOUTING THE VIKES
Two points were what separated the Vikes and a trip to the postseason in 2009 and this year Head Coach
Doug Tate is accepting nothing less than a top-six finish amongst B.C.’s strongest clubs.
Unlike seasons of the past, the squad’s strength lies in the forwards as the Vikes look for consistency amongst national call-ups and blooding new players in their back line.
“We will field the strongest tight five the Vikes have had in years,” Tate said of his starting lineup.
The UVic trio of
Andrew Tiedemann,
Ryan Hamilton and
Toby Peyton is the same B.C. Bears front row that thumped World Ranked no. 16 Russia 30-16 this past November. With Canadian national team captain
Pat Riordan back in the mix, the point of engagement will be the least of the Vikes’ worries.
The engine room will be powered by 2009 Junior World Championship participants
Brett Beukeboom and
Toni Wodzicki with
Jamal Allen adding a threat to the pack’s flanks.
The forwards played a key role in claiming the first leg of the Wightman Boot series two weeks ago as Wodzicki notched a hat trick of tries in a 50-15 rout of the UBC Thunderbirds.
Sevens stars
Nathan Hirayama,
Sean Duke, and
Phil Mack headline an experienced back line but while they’re away on national duty it will be up to veterans Dave Spicer and
Ben Grant to anchor the young guns.
During their fall campaign, 20 different Vikes punched in 32 tries as the Vikes averaged 26.8 points per game. Full back
Thomas Brody led the team in scoring notching 68 points in nine matches.
Each of their VIRU opponents will compete in the Premier League but the young squad will first have to get by Bayside this Saturday.
In their past four meetings the Vikes have split the series with both sides claiming victories at home. In their most recent meeting, the Vikes were dealt a 13-24 loss when they traveled to South Surrey Athletic park on March 21st, 2009.
Vikes 2010 Premier League Schedule:
Feb 06,
BAYSIDE SHARKS, 2:45pm
Feb 20,
COWICHAN, 2:45pm
Feb 27, at Van Rowing Club, 2:45pm
March 06,
BURNABY, 2:45pm
March 13, at Castaway Wanderers, 2:45pm
March 30, at Meralomas, 2:45pm
March 27, at Velox, 2:45pm
April 03, at UBC, 2:45pm
April 10, at Capilano, 2:45pm
April 17,
JAMES BAY, 2:45pm
April 24,
UBCOB Ravens, 2:45pm
May 01, CDI Playoffs, TBD
Home games in bold to be played at Wallace Field.