Match Recap: WWU vs Oregon

It was not a good day for duck hunting in Eugene as the Vikings failed to bag their limit during an 80 minute time frame. Lots of opportunities but poor aim and decisions on the field cost the Vikings a victory. Final Score was 17-15 for the home side.

It was a warm sunny day with the temperatures in the low 70's. Ideal for some fast entertaining rugby, but there were two factors that did not allow for that to happen. First of all Oregon plays off campus at a middle school which is actually in Springfield. The field was only 60m wide which is less than regulation. This totally took our wings out of the play as there was no space to turn the corner. The other factor was the impact that the referee had on the game calling 38 penalties and giving out 6 yellow cards. There was not a lot of rugby played on the day with all the stoppages with both teams having difficulty putting together phases. Each side were given three yellows and at one time WWU played with 13 players for 11 minutes. WWU were also without three key starters two of which scored 30 points in last weeks 55-0 victory of Boise State.

The game itself was a battle played with a lot of passion by both teams. WWU played the first 20 minutes stuck in their own half. Dominating the set scrums and the lineouts the Vikings managed to put together and scored at the 30 minute mark of the first half. Kalin Lee scored close to the sticks and Oliver Kelleher converted to give the Vikings a 7-0 lead. Oregon scored two unconverted trys to take a 10-7 lead into the half.

The second half was much of the same again with numerous whistle stops. WWU controlled much of the territory and were unlucky not to put more points on the board. Oliver Kelleher added a penalty goal to tie it at 10-10 and the Ducks added a converted try to take the lead 17-10. The Vikings kept battling and Charlie Funk scored in the 80th minute to make it 17-15 Oregon. The conversion was short and WWU came away with a bonus point loss on the road.

The Killer B's had a great performance in getting the win over the Ducks 17-10. Peter Nourse and Sam Schulver had strong games at 9 and 10 respectfully. Tavoi Filivaa scored two trys where he ran through and around the opposition.

‍