Vikings View RD 6
Queanbeyan sound warning with impressive victory
Andrew Johnston
Round six has seen a major shake up in the John I Dent Cup after Queanbeyan Whites overcame a lacklustre Tuggeranong Vikings 22-13 at Viking Park on Saturday.
With Wests securing a bonus point 50-33 win over Gungahlin, the loss proves costly for Vikings who are now in danger of losing touch with league leaders Royals midway through the season.
Queanbeyan meanwhile have hit top form and the defending champions will look to continue their climb up the ladder when they meet an in-form Wests next round.
Queanbeyan coach Wayne Southwell was particularly happy by the way his side maintained its structure under pressure, despite the absence of a number of key players.
"We looked to have a set game plan in the first-half and then in the second-half it was very pleasing that we were able to finish out wide.
We've got a few guys still missing from the line up but the guys who are in there at the moment are doing a great job so it's going to make selections really tough," Southwell said.
Tuggeranong went into the match averaging 54 points a game so far this season and they looked likely to continue their point scoring ways early in the first half, controlling both possession and field position.
But Queanbeyan showed the commitment that has seen it build the most formidable defensive record in the competition as Vikings struggled to create any opportunities with the ball in hand.
A lone penalty goal to fly-half Jeremy Te Huia was all the home side had to show for its efforts as the two sides went into the break locked up at 3-3.
It was going to take something special to crack the Whites defence and Vikings finally produced in the opening minutes of the second-half.
A lovely cross-field kick from Te Huia finding a flying Brendan Taueki who somehow managed to reel in an awkward bounce before avoiding both the sideline and the cover defence to score out wide.
The joy for Tuggeranong was short lived as Queanbeyan finally began to maintain possession and with lively Brumbies halfback James Stannard controlling the Whites attack the visitors were soon back on level terms.
Tries to Stannard and fullback Josh Hastings in the space of 10 minutes gave Queanbeyan its first lead of the match heading into the final quarter before winger Luke Matthews crossed in the dying minutes to seal the win.
Vikings 1st XV 13(B Taueki, A Goodall tries; J Te Huia 1/1 Pen) Queanbeyan 22 (J Stannard, J Hastings, L Matthews tries; J Kevin 2/3 Conv, 1/1 Pen)
PLAYERS PLAYER: JEREMY TE HUIA
Vikings 2nd XV 33( U.Tu'ulakitau, M.Smith, A.Dickson 2, T.Tapara ; JD Stephenson 4G) Queanbeyan 7
PLAYERS PLAYER: ANDREW DICKSON
Vikings Colts 10(C.Wilkinson, JP Aualiitia; C.Wilkinson 1G 1PG) Queanbeyan 0
PLAYER PLAYER: ROYDEN AWA
Vikings 3rd XV 36(T.Fraser, G.Lukins, U.Ulimana, A.Talaina, J.Gibson; A.Steele 4G 1FG) Queanbeyan 0
PLAYERS PLAYER: John Gibson
Vikings 4th XV Won on Forfiet
Vikings Brown Snakes 5(J.O'Neill) ADFA 55
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ANDREW GOODALL, ANDREW STEELE, PETER SEIVERS AND GAVIN SINCLAIR ON REACHING 100 CLUB GAMES FOR THE TUGGERANONG VIKINGS.
WELL DONE BOYS!!
2009 TRY SCORERS
JAKE KNIGHT - 7
ANDREW GOODALL - 7
ANDREW DICKSON - 6
KRISTY GITEAU - 4
GRANT LUKINS - 4
SIMON FRENCH - 4
TIM CURREN - 4
CRAIG WILKINSON - 4
HAGARS LUNCH
1 August 2009 - Erindale Auditorium
A reunion of former Vikings players and supporters comprising of a Sportsman's Lunch followed by an afternoon in the marquee at the Red Army to watch the 1st Grade clash between Vikings and Uni Norths.
Tickets $50.00
Tickets can be purchased by contacting the Auditorium staff on
6121 2131 or atthe RED ARMY at home games.
The event is planned for each year and the reunion lunch will double as a fundraiser for a selected charity.
This year the selected charity is the 'Beyond Blue Foundation'- independent not for profit an organisation working to increase awareness of depression, anxiety and related disorders throughout Australia