VICTORIA, B.C. - A gritty defensive stand in the final minutes of regulation earned the Central Washington University men's rugby team their first win of the season over the second-ranked Canadian side, Victoria, by a score of 27-22.
 
INSIDE THE FIXTURES:

• Final: CWU 27, Victoria 22
• Location: Wallace Field | Victoria, B.C.

QUOTING HEAD COACH TODD THORNLEY:

• "A game where we will learn a lot from, credit to Victoria. They are a good side who probably deserved to win it more than us as they certainly put us under a lot of pressure in multiple areas of the game. I'm proud of the guys. They showed grit and care which is something we can build off of as we get into our season."

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Vikes controlled the pace early, capitalizing with a pair of tries. Both conversion attempts missed and the Wildcats trailed 0-10.
• Calvin Liulamaga knocked in the first try of the 2024 season for the Wildcats in the 17th minute, bursting through the Victoria defense to cut the deficit in half at 5-10.
• Victoria responded shortly after, making the score 5-15 after another try.
• Near the 30th minute, Tiai Vavao crossed the line for the 'Cats, and a conversion from Benji Ward got the Wildcats close at 12-15.
• Less than five minutes later, the Wildcats would grab their first lead. Isaiah Simera-Saldana found a seam in the Vikes' defense, earning his first try of the year. The Wildcats led 17-15.
• Heading into halftime, the Vikes regained the lead. A successful conversion following Victoria's try pushed the Crimson and Black into another five-point hole at the break. The Wildcats trailed 17-22.
• Early in the second half, a penalty kick converted by Ward narrowed the Victoria lead to 20-22.
• Drew Farrington scored the game-winning try in the 55th minute, followed by a Ward conversion, to give the Wildcats a 27-22 lead.
• The Wildcats held Victoria off for the remaining 25 minutes. The Vikes made a late push, but a goal-line stand by the team's defense for the final five minutes gave CWU the 27-22 win.

UP NEXT:

• The Wildcats (1-0) will take on the University of British Columbia this Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2:00 p.m. for the team's home opener on Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium.