Vikings View - Round 11 vs Uni-Norths
Vikings storm home to take the points
Andrew Johnston
The Tuggeranong Vikings have survived an almighty scare in round 11 of the John I Dent Cup, coming from behind to defeat Uni-Norths Owls 39-20 at Viking Park on Saturday.
Playing in a one-off blue strip to raise awareness for the Beyond Blue Foundation, the Vikings were unable to break down the Uni defence in the first half before running in six tries in the final half hour.
The bonus point victory means Tuggeranong trail Queanbeyan by just four points in their all-important battle for second spot and a home semi-final with just three rounds to play.
Despite losses to both Queanbeyan and ladder leaders Royals this season Vikings coach Glen Christini is confident his side can still match it with both teams come finals time.
"This season the way it's unfolded it's definitely Royals and Queanbeyan and then us, the top three is relatively clear," Christini said.
"In the finals we're going to have to be smart, we're going to have to be patient and that's why it was encouraging today that Uni put us under enough pressure today to force us to do that."
A magnificent defensive display coupled with an assured kicking performance from former Australian Schoolboys fly-half James Ambrosini saw Uni-Norths prove more than a match for their higher ranked opponents in the first 40 minutes.
The Owls looked set to hold the Vikings scoreless before the break for the first time this year before a try in the dying stages of the half to Marty O'Brien gave Tuggeranong a narrow 5-3 lead at the break.
The Students retook to lead early in the second-half after Ambrosini ignored a four-man overlap to crash his way over the line.
But the mountain of defence forced upon the visitors began to tell as the Vikings piled on 34 points in as many minutes to crush any chances of Owls securing just their third win of the season.
Winger Jake Knight was particularly prominent for the home side as he returned to his best try scoring form, crossing for a hat-trick to take his tally to 11 for the season.
Christini praised his sides composure and said his side had a lot to take out of the performance.
"We just had to stay patient and we did that so to a large degree we grew up a bit as a team today which was pretty pleasing."
Vikings 1st XV 39 (J Knight 3, E Stubbs 2, M O'Brien, S Taula; J Te Huia 2/6 Conv, N Blacklock 0/1 Conv) def Uni-Norths 20 (A Amosa 2, J Ambrosini; Ambrosini 0/2 Conv, 1/1 Pen, T Marshall 1/1 Conv) at Viking Park on Saturday.
PLAYERS PLAYER - JAKE KNIGHT
Vikings 2nd XV 29 (P. Toumoua, E. Wessels, T. Taula, A. Goodall; E. Wessels 3G, 1PG) Uni -Norths 8
PLAYERS PLAYERS - EMILE WESSELS
Vikings Colts 20 ( JP. Aualiitia, t. Blencowe, L. Cargill, D. Aualiitia) Uni-Norths 10
PLAYERS PLAYER - THOMAS BLENCOWE
Vikings 3rd XV 29 ( D. Maloney, C. Gurney, A. Dickson 2; A. Dickson 3G 1PG) Uni-Norths 14
PLAYERS PLAYER - ANDREW DICKSON
Vikings 4th XV 29 ( S. Cook 2, A. Maloney, J. Tupai, S. French; B.McNicol 2G) Uni-Norths 20
PLAYERS PLAYER - GREG MICO
Vikings Brown Snakes 34 ( M. Elworthy, R. Sands, N. Francis 2, S. Pahl, D. Dimitrovski, L. Biles; J. Sayle 2G) ADFA 40
PLAYERS PLAYER - ROSS SANDS
ViQueens 19 (G. Prasad, N. Ayers, S. Milward; N. Ayers 2G) Uni 22
PLAYERS PLAYER - ANNA ROBSON
LEADING TRY-SCORERS 2009
THIS COULD COME DOWN TO THE FINAL ROUND!! JAKE KNIGHT SCORING A FEW ON THE WEEKEND TO BRING HIS TALLY UP, ANDREW DICKSON STAYING STRONG ALONG WITH ANDREW GOODALL, BUT A DARK HORSE FROM THE BEACHY SURROUNDINGS OF BONDI SEEMS TO BE THE DARK HORSE SNEEKING UP TO 3RD PLACE, AFTER BAGGING A DOUBLE ON THE WEEKEND.
GRANT LUKINS - 7
SIMON FRENCH - 7
TIM CURRAN - 7
NIKKI AYERS - 8
ED STUBBS - 9
ANDREW GOODALL - 11
JAKE KNIGHT - 11
ANDREW DICKSON - 13
THANKYOU!!
A big thankyou to all the supporters that help raise money for Beyond Blue on the weekend. Its a great effort and when all the money has been counted i will let you all know how much was raised.
A special mention to the 2nd XV boys, who grew some pretty ordinary facial hair for the cause, managed to raise just on $1300 alone.
Also thankyou Dean Browne and his crew for all his efforts in a successful inaugural 'Hagars Lunch' and to all the 'Hagars' that turned up for the lunch. From all reports it was a great day and no-one went thirsty, so well done and great effort.
PHOTOS
A REMINDER THAT TEAM AND CLUB PHOTOS WILL BE DONE ON 11TH OF AUGUST STARTING AT 6PM SHARP.
PLAYERS ARE REMINDED TO BRING THEIR VIKINGS SOCKS AND SHORTS.