Round 2 Match Reviews

Round 2 Match Reviews

1st Grade Match Report – Round 2

Following last week’s big win, the Vikings were ready to face their old foes Royals at Phillip Enclosed Oval, with plenty to play for including the Allan “Wal” Scollen Cup being up for grabs. The match would feature run-on debuts in 1st Grade for Alex Kerr, Fletcher Rose and Wally Wentzel, plus a debut from the bench for Silas Pilot. The match would also see Joe Wadman as captain for the first time in Viking’s colours following an injury to Cam Holt in last week’s game. On a fine and sunny Autumn’s Day on a dry track and with a large and vocal crowd in attendance, the Red Men would run out winners by 7 points in a hotly contested game against the Blue Baggers to remain undefeated after 2 games in the John I Dent Cup.
Running into a slight breeze, the Vikings defense was tested early as they conceded a number of penalties to allow Royals field position close to the Red Men’s line that would eventually see the opposition grab first points with a penalty goal around the 13-minute mark. The Vikings were unable to convert some good attacking opportunities before the Blue Baggers grabbed another penalty goal to lead 6 to nil with 20 minutes remaining in the 1st half. With the men in Red Men taking advantage of great lead up work by the forwards, Justin Sikimeti was then able to trample through the blue wall to plant the ball over the line to narrow the margin to one point. After catching the ball from the restart, the dangerous Lachie Davis made a brilliant burst down the wing and was able offload to Cooper Taekata backing up on the inside who then linked up with a flying Wally Wentzel to take the Vikings deep into attack. Following some controlled play by the forwards, man mountain, Sila Titiuti would crash over for a well-earned try. Louis Bartley-Saena would add the extras to see the men in Red out to a 12 to 6 lead with just over 10 minutes to the break. The Blue Baggers would bag a converted try right on the ½ time hooter to take a slim one-point lead as the teams headed off for a well-earned break in this see-sawing clash.
The 2nd half started with the Vikings dominating field position and after pressuring the Royals line to see the ever-present hooker Joel Leiper burrowing his way over after a great team buildup from the Red men. Louis would convert to see the Vikings extend the lead to 19 to 12 with plenty of time on the clock. With Red men looking to further assert their authority on the match, following a great 50 22 kick from Australia Under 20 squad member Shane Wilcox, the Vikings would take advantage to score a great converted try out wide to centre Junior Time-Taotua, taking the score to 26 to 13 with around 20 minutes to go in the match. With the clock ticking down, Royals were awarded a penalty try to close margin to 6 points with the large vocal crowd spurring them on. Then the iceman, Louis Bartley-Saena would silence the locals by smacking a long-range penalty goal to push the lead out to 9 points before icing another penalty goal to the send the Vikings supporters into raptures with time almost up on the clock. Royals would grab a consolation try in extra time to see the final score of 32 to 25 to the Vikings in a well-deserved victory against our arch rivals.
With a great team effort from all the boys that saw the Vikings collect their first piece of silverware for the 2024 season and would remain equal first on the John I Dent ladder. After continuing his great start to the season, happy hooker Joel Leiper collected a swag of votes to take out the Players Player award, as well as 1 point. The fleet footed fullback Shane Wilcox would collect 3 points in a standout performance at the back, with the zippy Lachie “Lippy” Davis grabbing 2 points in an enterprising display on the wing. It will be a massive day next Saturday at Viking Park against the Queanbeyan Whites, with the first home game of the year, the first game time for the Thirsty Thirds and Frothy Fourths, along with the highly anticipated Ladies Day being celebrated, we hope to see you all there with bells on….
Player’s Player: Joel Leiper
3 Points: Shane Wilcox
2 Points: Lachie Davis
1 Point: Joel Leiper

Second Grade

A match that will not go down in the annals of Vikings history and a performance that none are satisfied with. There were few shining lights within the game Samson Tuqiri’s debut and line break to set up a try for Keenan Ngan-Woo was one.
Of note the match finished with an horrific leg injury to Royals Loosehead Prop Noah Bouquiax. Noah’s father took the time to reach out to the club to advise us that Noah’s surgery went well and that he is in good spirits. He also stated that they were aware that it was a rugby incident and that Noah held no ill feeling and the boys should continue to rip. We wish Noah all the best with his recovery and send our thoughts and prayers.
Royals 20 v Viking 10
Player’s Player: Kerry McInerney
Coaches Points:
3 Sione Mau
2 Andrew Robinson
1 Bailey Goymer-Peak

Colts

Round 2 V Royals @ Phillip
A cracking autumn day beckoned with a Battle Royale between the Red men and the blue baggers as we went to raid their kingdom.
A game against natural and traditional rivals held King sized expectations for our young Colts. Some late changes to the line up saw eight players watching from the royal-box.
First blood went to Vikings – a mistake off the kick-off, first scrum just 6 seconds into the match. Off the back of the scrum our backs were quick to hum… a nice offload into space from King Soma to Prince Silas saw him beat all defenders and Usain Bolt! 70-meter dash to score 1;37 in score 0-5, quickly converted by Jo “RADAR” Lonergan 0-7.
Vikings looking strong over the next period of play leading to an attacking line near halfway. Ball taken cleanly by Dan “Izzy’ Wright, only for him to be taken recklessly by the Royal tall timber – ref issues a royal decree “fair” contest! The ensuing break down is a mess, Royals making Sir Richie McCaw look like a Saint by comparison with multiple “on-the-edge” possible infringements, including lunging over the ruck to hit the 9 and Ball away. Loose ball swooped on by Royals – on the attack in their green zone. A minor royal set of phases with the blue boys working across field and back again – to finally unleash the ball to their backs – quick hands a a speculative 2-hundy saw the ball out wide – our defence succumbing to the inside ball, Royals 13 to twist and turn over the try line. Conversion across the face of the gaols 5-7 to the good guys.
Shortly after, a period of sustained play deep in our attacking zones – Royals were penalised thrice… first by taking a leaf out of their Royal linage – off with his head said Henry VIII, high tackle: Vikings Lineout 8 metres out – however the ball was over “throne” for Royals to pounce with a clearing kick. Vikings back on the raid deep into Royals half, however Royals were found to be test the limits the offside line, too much for the man in the middle – penalty to Vikings. Lineout to Vikings edging closer – 5 meters out. Vikings were ready for a Royal Rumble with an attacking maul however Royals were maul magicians sacking and wrapping up the maul: a Right Royal scrum to the blues – looking to crash mid field in 2nd phase – only to be found by the Royal Executioner – Jono “the Jackle” Ryan over the ball winning Vikings the penalty just to the right of the sticks. RADR on track, Joe slots the shot for a hard earned three. 5-10 to the raiding Vikings.
Royals were keen to press back on our raids – gaining some field position to be camped for a small period in our half. Sustained pressure in close by the Royals Piggies absorbing Vikings defences – Royals with a two-man advantage – further stretched by another 2-hundy to the waiting wing. Scrambling defence out wide saw Royals again in a war of attrition though the forwards with a mirrored phase of play about to occur, however Royals tall timber No.4 took the chance close into the ruck to dive over and score: obviously very jubilant to be off the nudie-run so early in the season! 10-10 deep into the first half.
The remainder of the first half saw both teams trading shots at goal – half time still locked up but now 13-13.
Halftime snakes and motivational address by the coaches saw early opportunities taken to attack – sustained phases of play leading to the first points of the 2nd half just three minutes in forwards doing the hard grind – for Cadies ‘the Duke’ Vaihu workman like to find the line almost at the touch line – a tough kick for RADR but an excellent nudge gave Vikings the lead 13-20. Vikings were to spend only 5 minutes for the rest of the game within Royals half. A staggering 26 minutes in the second half the game was played in Vikings defensive ‘court’.
A sustained period of 15 minutes saw Royals pushing hard – Vikings withholding the siege of the castle – until Royals worked the phases to establish space and overlap, our Viking defenders stretch outside and drawn into the ruck – the space opened up. Classic running support play saw the ball shift inside three times for Royals to score next the posts. Once again locked at 20-20 with 10 mins left.
Time and pressure in our own half gave way near to time – Royals awarded an easy penalty in front of the sticks for a high tackle (under the arms but above the sternum). Royals gifted an 23-20 victory, despite some mighty Vikings efforts across the park.
Players player: Jono Ryan
3-2-1’s
3: The Barron – Jono Ryan – valent across the park all match
2: Joey ‘RADR’ Lonergan – 100 % on the boot for points.
1: honours going to both King Soma Tuilagi and Sir Tommy Myszka: cutting runs and strong defence had Royals on the back foot all day.