The University of Victoria Vikes captured silver in the first-ever Canada West Rugby Sevens Series.
The Vikes closed out the final day of competition at Wallace Field on Sunday with three wins to finish second overall in the series. Meanwhile the visiting Calgary Dinos won the weekend tournament and the series title with a 26-5 defeat of the Alberta Pandas in the final game of the series on Sunday.
UVic had won the first tournament of the season, Jan. 20 and 21 in Edmonton, going 6-0. But with just one win in three games on Saturday, it was a tough start for the Vikes at home and an uphill battle for UVic to secure the title. Despite outscoring their opponents 90-0 on Sunday and winning all three matches, it was too late, as the Dinos were a perfect 6-0 on the weekend.
“I think we were disappointed with our [Saturday] – we didn’t play like we can and we knew that,” said Vikes head coach Brittany Waters. “We just adjusted a few things and kind of came together as a team in our first game today and just went from there.”
Even though the series was only two tournaments long, the impact of a competitive sevens series in the Canada West conference could be felt for a long time.
“This series is excellent for the growth of sevens… said Waters, a Rugby Canada national team player. “The level of play this tournament was much better than the last one so it’s great to have that and to see everyone improve.”
Vikes men hoops season ends
It may have been a brief playoff run but it was better than no playoffs at all. The Lethbridge Pronghorns hosted and swept the Vikes men’s basketball team in two straight matches during their Canada West best-of-three series.
The Pronghorns won 97-85 Friday, and then 95-84 on Saturday. Lethbridge heads to Edmonton this weekend to face the Alberta Golden Bears for the Canada West quarterfinals.
On the Vikes women’s front, the season took an interesting turn.
The Vikes opened the playoffs with a first round sweep over the MacEwan Griffins on UVic’s home court of CARSA, 67-64 on Friday and 68-60 on Saturday.
It means the Vikes move on to the Canada West quarterfinals against the Winnipeg Wesmen this weekend. In doing so, the Vikes keep alive their goal to earn their way into the U Sports Women’s National Basketball Championship. The Vikes will automatically receive a berth in the championships which they host at CARSA March 9 to 12.