06 Jul Round 10 Wrap Up
On Saturday we celebrated our annual Charity Day, in support of Lifeline Canberra. We are thrilled to announce that we raised over $1300 for Lifeline on the day – thanks to everyone who joined us at Viking Park and supported a worthy cause! It was a rather dour affair for the Club on the field, as we won 1, lost 3 and drew 2. The quality of Rugby was there however, each Grade delivering a solid performance to be right in the contest until the final whistle. Take a look at the match report for each Grade below.
Generation Red
Our Gen Red teams had another Bye for their school holiday break. Find out more about our Gen Red Program here.
First Division 2nd Grade (4th Grade) v Gungahlin Eagles
With only four weeks remaining until finals, the Vikings faced an Eagles side they consider to be one of the benchmarks of the competition. A couple of old heads and old bodies rolled out for 4th Grade’s important clash, and they did not disappoint. The Vikings started the game superbly, with a try to Jayme Field and a team try off a dominant scrum putting the score at 14-0 after only sixteen minutes of play. This was as much of an in-road the Vikings would make for the remainder of the first half, with the Eagles hitting back hard to try and narrow the gap. However, 4th Grade’s burly defense held strong, and the Vikings were able to keep the Eagles scoreless heading into halftime.
The second half saw tries to newly converted winger Rowland Mateyawa, Captain George Uilelea and the inspirational Richard Joyes. Prop Matt Wafer was outstanding for the second week in a row at VP, and may have done just enough to finally earn his spot in the Forward of the Round vote. Josh Hitchins enjoyed some time in the mid-field at Centre, which allowed the Vikings to attack the breakdown out wide. The Eagles were able to score two converted tries in the dying moments of the game, but it was too little too late for the visitors. The Vikings remain undefeated in 4th Grade, and roll into next week’s top of the table clash against RMC with a lot of momentum. Vikings 33 – 14 Eagles.
A special mention to Geoff and Will Adam, who shared the field for 4th Grade on the weekend. Will is Geoff’s nephew, and in a special moment for the Adam family the two men were able to wear the Vikings jersey together in 4th Grade’s great win.
3-2-1’s
3 Matt Wafer
2 Richard Joyes
1 Josh Hitchins
Player’s Player – Richard Joyes
First Division 1st Grade (3rd Grade) v Gungahlin Eagles
Following some poor performances in the past few weeks, the Thirsty Thirds had another big challenge against the third placed and 2020 Premiers Gungahlin Eagles. The Eagles received the kick off, but the Vikings defense was up to the task. Two early injuries to Jack Mann and Broadie Cross took its toll, and after fifteen minutes of play the Eagles were able to cross for their first try of the afternoon. The Vikings regrouped, and started putting pressure on their opponents through their powerhouse scrummaging, led by starters Steve Solofa, Lachie McDonald and Robbie McNeill. This was the Vikings team we had been waiting to see all year! The Eagles were able to score a second try off the back of some ill-discipline, but the Vikings dominant scrum saw them march back down field, Tino Lalofau scoring just before halftime to narrow the lead as the Red Men went into the sheds. The feeling at halftime was that of confidence, the Vikings well and truly in the contest.
The Eagles were able to score just after halftime, but this didn’t phase the Red Men, who went back hard at their opponents. The Vikings Forward pack showed its toughness with some barging runs, while the Backs dazzled with some well crafted moves. Will Adam, fresh off the back of 4th Grade’s win, was solid in the Centres, while recently returned Scrumhalf Junior Lokeni had a great day at the ruck-base. Several lineouts went begging, and the pressure the Vikings had been applying was relieved, allowing the Eagles to counter and extend their lead. The Red Men hit back though through Liam Stone, who capped off another phase of dominant Forward play to score in the corner. Although the scoreboard would read differently at game’s end, the teamwork, effort and leadership shown by 3rd Grade was a testament to the team. The Vikings were extremely proud of their effort on VP2, and now head into a two week Bye period before their run towards finals. Vikings 14 – 29 Eagles.
3-2-1’s
3 Front Row (Steve Solofa, Lachie McDonald, Robbie McNeill)
2 Will Adam
1 Junior Lokeni
Player’s Player – Junior Lokeni
Premier Division Colts v Gungahlin Eagles
A top of the table clash saw the Vikings Colts draw 29 all with competition leaders Gungahlin Eagles. It was a much improved performance from their last encounter, but the Vikings Colts still stood off from their opposition’s big boppers, whose carries gave the Eagles much needed momentum. Remsy Lemisio had a barnstorming game, and Lachie Davis was also at his best, yet again making breaks and setting up tries at will. Both teams went into the break on level pegging, and it was a try for try affair for the remainder of the game. The Vikings worked hard, with a try late in the second half putting them ahead, but a lack of concentration off the subsequent kick off gifted Gungahlin a try and put the Red Men back under pressure. Speedster Jonty Godfrey scored two tries on the day, but unfortunately received a hamstring injury that sidelined him. Kye Pearson also scored a double, and Chris Caruana and Kai Bower got one a piece. The Colties now turn their focus to the coming Saturday, where they will face a tough Queanbeyan side at Campese Oval. Vikings 29 – 29 Eagles.
3-2-1’s
3 Remsy Lemisio
2 Lachie Davis
1 Jordy Cross & Chris Caruana
Player’s Player – Lachie Davis
Premier Division 2nd Grade v Gungahlin Eagles
What a difference a week makes. The Dirty Twos went down to a committed Gungahlin Eagles side at VP on Saturday, after claiming the top spot the previous week from Royals. The Vikings still hold the no. 1 mantle, but hope not to see a repeat of the performance on Saturday. Missed tackles, two in the naughty chair, rushed plays, early substitutes and a late arrival were all features of a disappointing performance. However, if we have learnt anything from this 2nd Grade side in 2021 it is that they are resilient, and they will bounce back from this result. The try scorers for the afternoon were Bailey Goymer-Peak, Kerry McInerney, Tupou Lolohea and JD Lealiifano, who also added three extras. It was great seeing JD back on the paddock! The backrow combination of Daryl Bailey and Izaak Weston was the feature of the afternoon, showcasing the depth of this position at the Club. Onwards next weekend to Queanbeyan, as the Vikings head into the pointy end of the season. Vikings 26 – 39 Eagles
3-2-1’s
3 Bailey Goymer-Peak
2 Daryl Bailey
1 Izaak Weston
Player’s Player – N/A
Premier Division Women v Goulburn Women
The ViQueens played out a tough match against the Goulburn Women’s side, who got the better of them in their last encounter. The ViQueens were desperately looking for a win against the team from up the Hume, to cement their spot as we draw closer to finals footy. ViQueen’s stalwart Sharon Waihape scored the only try of the afternoon for the girls, which was leveled by Goulburn. This is where the scores remained at the final bell, neither team able to crack the other. Forwards Sharon Waihape, Livinia Samoa and Rita Palm all had huge games, while Winger Lily Hawthorn continues to go from strength to strength. The ViQueens will face a Queanbeyan Whites side they also drew with in their previous encounter, and will look to sure up a top-2 place on the ladder as they keep one eye on finals footy. ViQueens 5 – 5 Goulburn.
3-2-1’s
3 Sharon Waihape
2 Livinia Samoa
1 Lily Hawthorn
Player’s Player – Sharon Waihape
Premier Division 1st Grade v Gungahlin Eagles
With the Vikings playing for the treasured Warcaba Cup, as well as the Bob Hitchcock Shield, there was a lot on the line in their clash with the Eagles. Unfortunately, the Red Men came up short against a determined opposition at Viking Park. The game started with both sides keen to play attacking Rugby, the Eagles opening the scoring with a try out wide. After some sustained attack by the Red Men, Kichie Navuso was able to plant the ball over the line for the Vikings to take the lead after 25 minutes of play. Trai Henderson was proving to be a handful for Gungahlin, his damaging runs continually putting the Vikings pack on the front foot. Max Ravouvou seemed to have a bounty on anyone in a black jumper, the Winger leveling anyone that ran down his way in defense. The Eagles regained the lead by scoring another converted try, but Sione Mau was able to crash over after some great phase play from the Vikings. Another converted try to the Eagles saw them go into the halftime break with a 17 to 14 lead, proving the match would be a fitting tribute to Roman Warcaba and his toughness on the field.
The second half started much the same as the first, with both teams throwing the ball around in an entertaining affair. The Eagles drew first blood in the half by scoring another converted try, but Winger sensation Josh Southwell-Nobbs narrowed the gap with a great try out wide to bring the Vikings right back into the game. Kitchie Navuso nabbed his second of the afternoon to see the Red Men take the lead 26 to 24 with 10mins to play. The Eagles, however, regained the lead in this see-sawing battle, scoring yet another converted try. Despite some sustained attack deep in Gungahlin territory with little time to play, the Red Men were unable to come away with points, and Gungahlin scored a run-away try to seal victory and claim both the Warcaba Cup and Hitchcock Shield. A tough day for 1’s, who will regather as we head closer to finals. Vikings 26 – 36 Eagles.
3-2-1’s
N/A
Player’s Player – Trai Henderson
That’s a wrap for Round 10. This Saturday, the Premier Men’s and Women’s teams head across the border to Campese Oval, to play the Queanbeyan Whites. 4th Grade will travel to Portsea Oval to play RMC, and 3rd Grade will have a Bye. Stay tuned to our social media and website for more information on game times.
