LANGLEY, British Columbia – The No. 2 Victoria Vikes came out strong and never looked back as they defeated the No. 7 Queen’s Gaels 40-19 in the second quarter-final match at the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship Wednesday afternoon at the. Willoughby Community Park Stadium at the Langley Events Centre in Langley, B.C.
Leading the way for the Vikes was Evan Smith with two tries, and Alex Gamage with four converts. Also scoring tries for Victoria was Jordy Auger, Muiredach Casey, and Morgan Di Nardo. Scoring tries for Queen’s were Alexander Pipchuk, Evan Raymond, and Deklan Williamson. The Gaels James Webb had two converts.
AS IT HAPPENED
Victoria jumped out to the early lead with Muiredach Casey scoring a try at 3:45. Less than three minutes later Ethan Smith added to the score with an unconverted try to put the Vikes up 12-0. At 11:45 Jordy Auger extended the Victoria lead to 19-0 with a converted try. The Vikes continued their dominant play with Morgan Di Nardo scoring a converted try at 22:40 and Ethan Smith adding a converted try at 26:40 to give the Vikes a 33-0 half-time lead.
The No. 7 ranked Gaels had a much better second half. Queen’s Deklan Williamson got the Gaels on the board with a converted try at 35:50. The Vikes quickly responded when Shane Rikley-Krindle scored a converted try at 39:00 to make the score 40-7 for Victoria. The Gaels Alexander Pipchuk blocked a Vikes kick and turned it into a non-converted Queen’s try at 41:00 to make the score 40-12 for Victoria. Queen’s Evan Raymond finished the scoring at 52:30 with a converted try for the Gaels to make the final 40-19 for the Vikes.
UP NEXT
No. 2 Victoria will now play in the semi-finals against No. 6 Memorial. While No. 6 Queen’s will play against No. 3 Ottawa on the consolation side. Both matches will be played on Friday.
First Half
VIC – Try, 6 Muiredach Casey, 3:45, 5-0
VIC – Con, 15 Alex Gamage, 4:00, 7-0
VIC – Try, 9 Ethan Smith, 6:15, 12-0
VIC – Try, 2 Jordy Auger, 11:45, 17-0
VIC – Con, 15 Alex Gamage, 12:35, 19-0
VIC – Try, 14 Morgan Di Nardo, 22:40, 24-0
VIC – Con, 15 Alex Gamage, 23:45, 26-0
VIC – Try, 9 Ethan Smith, 26:05, 31-0
VIC – Con, 15 Alex Gamage, 26:40, 33-0
Second Half
QUE – Try, 19 Deklan Williamson, 35:50, 33-5
QUE – Con, 10 James Webb, 36:40, 33-7
VIC – Try, 13 Shane Rikley-Krindle,39:00 38-7
VIC – Con, 15 Alex Gamage, 40:00, 40-7
QUE – Try, 7 Alexander Pipchuk, 41:00, 40-12
QUE – Try, 25 Evan Raymond, 52:30, 40-17
QUE – Con, 10 James Webb, 53:10, 40-19
Final
Queen’s – 19
Victoria – 40
Players of the Match
Queen’s: 7 Alexander Pipchuk
Victoria: 4 Merlin M’Cloud
