Monday's Musings

December 8, 2025 Posted in News / Victoria BC / Rugby Club / Game Reports / Prems / Men's Reserve Div / Juniors / B.C. Rugby / Fifteens / Boys U18 / Boys U16 / Senior Men / Boys Rugby

Jordan Tate had a good outing.

"A Great Afternoon of Rugby"

As predicted pre-game, so it came to pass. It was a great afternoon if you were one of the fans of a graduating Viking rugby player. A good note to go out on! Even this pundit who played in the days when size did not matter, so should have known better, was quietly confident that this day would be the day would be the day for win #2. Instead, the rugby gods had their way, and the scholars schooled their seniors.

It was an interesting affair in testing weather conditions. UVic trailed 14 – 12 at the half and went ahead, 31 – 14, only to allow CW to fight back. Akin to their win over James Bay last week. They successfully hung on as CW just failed to cross the line in the late going. Does this sound familiar to CW’s last game against Caps? The Vikings were the better and smarter side, but it should not have been so. A ‘Doug Fraser Stamp’ defense, synchronized, aggressive, accurate and brave, caused unforced errors by CW. UVic, a side that seems to thrive on chaos, used their speed, skills, and decision-making to rattle the visitors.

The plot unraveled early when CW’s architect, Grady Bowd, was forced to leave the fray after ten minutes. Easson moved to #10, however, no reflection, backline cohesiveness went awry. A dominant CW set gained field position, and at eighteen minutes, an Easson grubber saw Tate regather for first blood, 7 – 0. Mere minutes later, UVic tied the score from a rollicking rumble from Moller. Late in the half further set scrum superiority saw quick, short ball to Tate with Finnie on his shoulder, 14 – 7, CW. UVic manifested their never-say-die confidence and Lott crossed, as referee Horton was about to blow time., 14 – 12, CW. The first forty saw a very visible set scrum superiority by the visitors, with Mc Callum being most noticeable. For UVic, it was the backs, with some creativity from Griffiths, enterprising runs from McIndoe and Di Nardo, causing consternation.

Not on Moller's Watch!

UVic started the second stanza with zest from the kickoff. Fortunately, Rinkley-Krinkle ended the threat with a steal. UVic was to suffer a further setback when they were issued a yellow card. No deterrent. Instead of capitalizing, CW went into the tank with poor decisions, casual transfers and lack of any immediacy. On the contrary, UVic rose to the occasion, with snappy handling and pace. A missed tackle, a swerve, and thirty meters, and Hannaford was in under the sticks at eight minutes. 19 – 14, not to be bested. Still, a man down, quick ball went to Alex Gamage, and a clever centre chip saw di Nardo over, under the posts, 26 – 14, this, a mere twelve minutes in.

Despite the Vikings playing with desire and threat, a Gamage interception gave hope, but the defense quickly closed, causing an errant pass. One had a sense that CW could have laid down the hammer but did not have enough experience in this situation this season to call upon such execution. Regardless, the red zone position was retained, only for another C. Gamage to Finnie glimmer, to result in a knock on. It was from chaos that the ball was rapidly moved into CW territory and yet another astute grubber from A. Gamage, dribble and fly hack, against the flow, from sixty metres, and di Nardo regained for his brace, with ten minutes on the clock and a 31 – 14 lead. CW’s ‘Mr Consistency’, Jon Humphries responded with one of his patented “don’t argue” bursts to edge it to 31 – 19. A bonus point was earned after a series of recycles, when Hager defiantly crossed, 31 – 24 with five minutes remaining. CW did finally keep the peddle down but it was all too little, too late and the hosts happily banged the ball to touch.

There was plenty to like in this one, played in tricky conditions. The brothers Gamage duel was of interest with Alex’s two try assists giving him the nod on this day. I thought Moller and #8, Heaney-Corns were good value in the UVic pack. Ex-Cw-ers, Griffiths and Sandner did enough to get under the skin, and Lott was also a pest. In all, a smart game for the victors. For me, CW’s game was disappointing. As mentioned, McCallum, before his injury, was amongst it, and Tait in the backs stood out, although Hager was pesky. Overall, the visitors were not sharp, losing some of their own lineout ball, and seemingly not really focusing on accuracy in such testing weather. UVic’s performance was that of a higher standing club on the day.

Ethan probes for the gap.

(Photo credits, Keith Wells)

The precursor to the main game was a pure clinic from the Norsemen, showing CW the difference in the standings of a top vs M-O-R team. The Norse led 38 – 0 at the interval. CW did stiffen in the second forty keeping the home team to two tries for a final 52 – 0 victory.

P.S. Further game photos can be viewed HERE

On Sunday, the cub’s U16 and U18 Boys travelled to Langley for BC Finals. The U16’s lost to a good value Capilanos. The U18’s proved that their pedigree was the real deal, defeating UBCOB Ravens for a re-peat of the title. Congratulations to both teams and all involved. We’ll try to obtain some details on these games. Do not lose touch with www.cwrugby.com as Christmas tales will be forthcoming.