Strong second half drive UBCO Heat to win over Victoria in rugby friendly

KELOWNA – The UBC Okanagan Heat kept Victoria penned in their end, scoring 22 unanswered points to defeat the visiting squad 27-17 on Saturday afternoon as in a friendly match in Kelowna at the Parkinson Recreation Centre.

Bryce Stirling straight-armed his way for the opening score for UBC Okanagan, his try started a run of 22 straight points, Colin Stonier converted his try and then he converted after Jed Anderson was held up and the Heat forward moved the pile in impressive fashion for the score.

Stonier, a back from Earl Marriott Secondary, did most of the kicking for the Heat, he converted two of the four UBC Okanagan tries and scored the only points for the Heat in the first half with a unconverted try.

Another Earl Marriott grad, Kai Duchnycz, scored UBC Okanagan's final try of the game. Dominic Haynes, late in the match, nailed a PK to finish the scoring and cap the 7-17 win for the Heat.

Victoria played well in the first half keeping the more experienced UBC Okanagan team on their heels. Victoira opened up with a PK for three points before Stonier answered with his try. Victoria finished on two more tries and converted both to go into the half with a 17-5 lead on the Heat.

The Heat relied on their size and experience to overwhelm Victoria in the second half as the forwards for UBC Okanagan wore down the smaller Victoria side, leading to a second half constantly in Vic territory.

With the win on Saturday the Heat are now 1-1 after droping a 28-12 decision to Kamloops last weekend. Up next for the Heat men will be a trip to Western Washington to play the Vikings. Last fall UBC Okanagan dismantled WWU in Kelowna 56-5.