The Martlet

For the first time in over 20 years the Vikes have earned the right to host the Barnard Cup. On Saturday, Nov. 26 Centennial Stadium will showcase some of the best rugby in B.C. as the UVic men’s rugby team face James Bay in a battle for the Island supremacy.

“The last James Bay game was equivalent to a Canadian Rugby Championship (CRC) game that we play in the summer; a good physical battle. This Saturday’s game should be equivalent to a provincial level game,” says Doug Wooldridge.

Wooldridge is a front-row player for the Vikes and garnishes international experience. He has played on Canada’s men’s national team and also gained experience playing on the RGC 1404 club team in Wales. Each year the Barnard Cup is awarded to the men’s Island premier champion. This year marks the 90th season that the cup has been presented. Since the competition’s start in 1911, UVic has won the cup 10 times. They have also won it twice as Victoria College in 1948 and 1949. James Bay has won the title an outstanding 52 times in the last 90 years.

In last year’s Barnard Cup, James Bay narrowly defeated the Vikes with a 44-37 score line. The close battle between these two squads has been a reoccurring theme. The Vikes have met the Bays twice so far in regular season play, splitting the record 1-1.

Regarding his predictions for the game, Wooldridge says, “it’s going to be a highly contested match, a very physical game. They have a pretty good forward pack that has good go forward ball, they can also swing it out wide. We are two high scoring teams so it should be exciting.”

In their first match up, James Bay defeated the Vikes at MacDonald Park with a last minute try that put them ahead by one point, with a final score of 23-22. In the next match, at Wallace field, the Vikes were able to come out with a win in yet another nail-biting finish, edging the Bays in a 44-42 final.

The difference in this game will come down to the defense. This past weekend the Vikes had some problems with their tackling.

“We just weren’t tackling low enough,” says winger Beau Parker.

This could prove to be a serious issue when faced with the hard runners on the James Bay squad. The Vikes will have to work hard to control key players Dave Moonlight, captain Hugo Belanger and brothers Jeff and Morgan Williams. Up front newcomer Zach Coughlan has been playing well for the Bays in the flank position.

“The key will be to defend. The last two games have been high scoring games. A lot of offence and not a lot of defence,” comments outside back Willem duPlessis on what the Vikes will need to do to come away with the Island title.

Vikes fans should keep an eye out for centre duo Michael Fuailefau and Remi Anctil. The two have been playing extremely well together and will be sure to cause some damage in the Bays defensive line. In the forward pack Doug Wooldridge will be a key player for the home team. His experience and skill level will be instrumental up front for the Vikes.

“Brett (The Body) Beukeboom, Willem duPlessis and young up-and-comer Patrick Kay are also going to be key figures for us,” adds Wooldridge.