The Martlet

It’s been an interesting first half of the season in the Canadian Direct Insurance (CDI) Premier League in B.C.

UVic’s arch rival, James Bay, has fallen to sixth place in this year’s standings after posting an 8-0 record during the Vancouver Island Rugby Union Elite League fall season.

The Vikes have slipped to fifth place after recently winning the Barnard Cup. And, shocking local rugby fans recently, the Velox Valhallians are now in second place as they trail Premier leader Capilano by just one point.

It’s been an odd opening, to say the least, as the Valhallians have completely revamped their squad and remain undefeated in 2009’s CDI Premier League. After posting just two wins in eight games last fall, the squad is fitter, crisper and more determined than ever to contest 2009’s Rounsfell Cup.

Both sides came in undefeated to Saturday’s match at Wallace Field, but based on the 46-15 lashing UVic gave Velox in October, the Vikes should have been the favourites.

Despite their lineup missing several players to national duty and head injuries, the Vikes have played disadvantaged before and managed to hold their own.

With their heavy forward pack under the strong leadership of captain Andrew Tiedemann, and their backline in the hands of standoff Nathan Hirayama, the Vikes never found their rhythm in their 32-23 defeat to the Valhallians this past weekend.

Rick Farrally, filling in for UVic’s coach Doug Tate, said that Velox was simply too strong for his side on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 28.

“We got outplayed,” Farrally said. “They were swarming into us. When the ball went loose, they pounced on it.”

The Vikes were first to score, however, as Kyle Buckley sprinted down the touch line before laying off to no. 8 Struan Robertson. Velox smelled blood and quickly responded with a converted penalty and try.

The Vikes were quicker in the opening minutes and, after switching the field to two forwards waiting on the wing, loose head prop Tiedemann fed tight head Tobey Peyton as the hefty prop went over untouched to take the lead 10-8.

Velox’s Dan White would be next to score before UVic’s Hirayama would convert an easy three points to trail 13-15.

Velox came alive in the closing minutes of the half, however, as they hammered the Vikes and dominated at the break down.

The Valhallians would punch in one more try to lead 20-13 at the half.

Determined to keep their Gordon Head rivals from running away with the victory, UVic clawed back to pound Velox’s defensive line. Mike MacKay would leap past his tacklers to touch down and narrow Velox’s lead to 20-18.

But that’s as close as UVic came, as Velox played with an intensity that the Vikes just couldn’t seem to answer.

After several dropped balls and missed passes, Velox would touch down twice more to take the lead 32-18.

With the clock winding down, UVic’s John Moonlight would touch down once more but Velox would take the well-deserved 32-23 win.

Farrally admitted that the Vikes’ squad may have underestimated Velox’s determination heading into the match.

“They’re the real thing,” Farrally said after the match. “I told the guys that before the game but I guess they didn’t believe me.”

Despite now falling to fifth place in the CDI Premier League standings, the Vikes still have a game in hand and will be determined to climb the standings when they face off against the third-place Meralomas on Saturday, March 7 at Wallace Field.