Vikings View - Round 14 vs Gungahlin
Vikings build for finals charge
Andrew Johnston
The Tuggeranong Vikings eased into the John I Dent finals series with a 58-24 win over the Gungahlin Eagles in the final round of regular season competition at Viking Park on Saturday.
After a last start loss to Queanbeyan, the Vikings were out to prove they are still a premiership contender and the result was effectively sealed inside the first half hour when the home side raced away to a 41-0 lead.
A classy performance from Eagles halfback Anthony Dawes added some respectability to the score line as the livewire scrumhalf crossed for two tries on his way to a personal haul of 14 points.
Dawes lone hand was never going to be enough however as Gungahlin looked totally disinterested in a disastrous first-half performance that saw the visitors concede seven tries before finally getting on the board.
Tuggeranong began the rout in just the 3rd minute when Pat Toumoua crashed over from close range before electrifying winger Jake Knight displayed his trademark turn of speed on the way to the line minutes later.
With Gungahlin set to miss out on finals action for the first time in eight years regardless of the result, there appeared to be little commitment in the Eagles goal line defence as the half progressed.
The Vikings took full advantage as they crossed five more times in the next 25 minutes before some smart work from an alert Dan Mannix saw the Eagles flyhalf get his side on the board against the run of play.
Gungahlin narrowed the gap further through a try to Dawes right on half-time to trail by 27 at the break.
Dawes continued to prove a handful for the Vikings defence in the second half as he crossed for a double soon after the resumption.
Thoughts of an unlikely comeback were briefly kindled for the Eagles when winger and former sprint star Kurt Mulcahy showed express pace to score a wonderful individual try to narrow the deficit to 17 with 25 minutes still to play.
After being guilty of clocking off early however the Vikings were never going to be run down and they clicked back into top gear in the final quarter.
Tries to Beau Mokotupu, Andrew Goodall and Sione Taula sealed a convincing win.
Next week's finals see Tuggeranong face off against Wests while Royals will take on Queanbeyan for a spot in the Grand Final.
Vikings 1st XV 58 (S.Taula, P. Toumoua, C. Faingaa, B. Mokotupu 2, J. Knight 2, E. Stubbs, N. Blacklock, A. Goodall; C.Lealiifano 3G) Eagles 24
PLAYERS PLAYER - SCOTT IRWIN
Vikings 2nd XV 8 (I.Ratulevu; E.Wessels 1PG) Eagles 34
PLAYERS PLAYER - TRENT HOSCHER
Vikings Colts 18 ( JP Aualiitia 2, L. Cargill; C. Wilkinson 1FG) Eagles 17
PLAYERS PLAYER - JP AUALIITIA
Vikings 3rd XV 43 (I. Vainikolo, L. Culnane, J. Gibson, A. Steele 2, L. Kessey, T.O'Brien; A.Dickson 2G, A.Steele 3G, G.Kuczerka 1FG) Eagles 12
PLAYERS PLAYER - DAVE MAILAU
Vikings 4th XV 34 (G. Mico, A. Maloney, S. Cook 2, M. Hiscox; L.Kessey 3G 1PG) Eagles 11
PLAYERS PLAYER - DUANE PETERSON
Vikings Brown Snakes 15 ( N.Francis 2; C.Green 1G, R.Sands 1FG) Cooma 62
PLAYERS PLAYER - NATHAN FRANCIS
ViQueens 44 (P.Butt 2, S. Huntingford, N. Ayers 3, S. Milward, F. Daly; N. Ayers 2G) Jindabyne 7
PLAYERS PLAYER - LAURA EDWARDS
CONGRATULATIONS
The regular season has finished and the Vikings will be very present in the finals series. In what has been a great turnaround for the 4th XV, finding great form and stringing some wins together saw them scrape into the finals with a wet sail. The 3rd XV or flagship of the club continued their domination of the competition and showed why they won the Minor Premiership with a thrashing victory over the Eagles 3rd XV.
Colts snapped a field goal in the last 13 seconds of play to secure their spot in the finals campaign while the 1st XV produced arguably their best 40 mins of the season to take a great deal of confidence into their finals game against West's this weekend.
The ViQueens have also made their way into the finals, and should go in very confident and as one of the favourites to take out the silverware after some very strong performances during the regular season.
GAMES THIS WEEKEND
Saturday 29th of August
Vikings 3rd XV v Uni-Norths
12.10pm
Viking Park No. 2
Saturday 29th of August
ViQueens v Uni-Norths
1.45pm
VikingParkNo.2
Sunday 30th of August
Vikings 4th XV v Royals
10.35am
VikingParkNo.2
Sunday 30th of August
Vikings Colts v Royals
11.55am
VikingParkNo 1
Sunday 30th of August
Vikings 1st XV v Wests
3.05pm
VikingParkNo.1
The cost of admittance to Viking Park for the Finals is $8 but if you are a member of the Red Army, show your ticket to someone at the bunker when you purchase a drink and you will get re-imbursed.
Please be aware that ACT Rugby will be running the ground marshals at Viking Park during the finals series, they will also have security guards on patrol and car checks will be happening to make sure no alcohol will be brought into the ground along with any pets.
2009 Top Try-Scorers
Once again Grant Lukins has seemed to pull up stumps on his try scoring efforts. A late surge by Nikki Ayers has some suggestiong that the ViQueens Point Scorer might be the dark horse for the clubs point scoring award this year.
At the end of the regular season this is how we finished up
Andrew Dickson - 14
Jake Knight - 13
Andrew Goodall - 12
Ed Stubbs - 11
Nikki Ayers - 11
At time of print ACT Rugby where still going through the stats to see who id eligible for 1st Grade highest try-scorer, we all expect it to be Jake Knight who has had a great year scooting down the side line. So stayed tuned for further developments regarding this matter.
Presentation Night
Friday 18th of September
$50 for registered player and $75 for a double ticket
6.30pm start
Lounge Suit for men and Cocktail for women.
The Auditorium, Vikings Erindale.
Please see your coaches and managers to get into tables of 10.