OTTAWA – The UBC Okanagan Heat men's rugby team finished sixth in their first-ever appearance at the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship (CUMRC) after losing 59-7 to the Victoria Vikes on Sunday afternoon.
 
Third-year lock Jason Sendall of Sandford, Ont., scored the Heat's lone try of the contest in the 58^th minute with third-year fly half Nathan Holmes of Edmonton successfully hitting the conversion.
 
Despite the loss, the tournament was a huge success for a Heat program that recently captured their first-ever Prairie U Championship. UBCO, who entered the championship as the eight seed, upset the fourth-seeded Memorial Sea-Hawks 20-17 in the consolation semifinals to earn their way into the fifth-place game.
 
Taking on the Vikes, who were ranked third entering the tournament, in their final match of the season, the Heat battled hard against one of the top teams in the nation to leave Ottawa with their heads held high.
 
"Everything we've done so far has been a first," said Heat captain Patrick Williams after the game against Victoria. "First time here, first time winning, everything is kind of new territory. To be able to be part of it, I'm really proud and I'm looking forward to what comes next."
 
Overall, the Heat finished the season with an 8-2 record, including going undefeated during the Prairie U regular season and playoffs. The undefeated run included a critical 24-19 win over the University of Calgary to retain the Hindson Cup on October 19 as well as a gutsy 12-5 victory over the University of Alberta in the championship match on October 27.