KINGSTON, Ont. - It was a game that returning SLC men's rugby players had marked on their calendar for nearly a year, after being defeated 38-5 last season in Ottawa by the Algonquin College Thunder, which caused SLC to get bumped in the standings.

The Vikings made good on their first opportunity to return the favour as they shutout the visiting Thunder 27-0 to open the 2016-17 season.

"It was a solid performance. I was really impressed with how the rookies stepped up and made an immediate impact," said Vikings head coach Les Davidson.

"If it wasn't for our attitude and aggression in the first two minutes, the game might have had a different outcome. There's still lots to work on but we looked really good, the guys played a really solid game from start to finish."

SLC would get their first scoring chance denied thanks to Algonquin preventing the ball from touching the try area. However, Algonquin's undisciplined eventually caught up with them as they would take a penalty, going a man down. The Vikings capitalized immediately with consecutive tries but missing one conversion kick to take a 13-0 lead.

After another SLC try, Algonquin's rough play continued to cost them field space, ball possession, and eventually had an impact on the scoreboard with Mark Petro kicking kick back-to-back penalty kicks to make the score 18-0 at half time.

Algonquin would settle in to start second half but SLC would stand their ground and eventually take control of the game, spending the vast majority of the time in Algonquin's end, leading to the 27-0 victory.

Petro would finish with one convert, two penalty kicks, and one drop kick for 17 points. Nick Taylor and team captain, Weldon Spears, recorded tries.

The Vikings will make the short drive to Belleville for their next game on Saturday, Sept. 17 against the Loyalist College Lancers. Game time is 3 p.m.

Source: St. Lawrence College