Vikings View Rd 9 vs Wests
Vikings remain in title hunt
Andrew Johnston
The Tuggeranong Vikings remained in the running for a top two spot and a home final with an important 41-24 victory over the Western District Lions at Viking Park on Saturday.
The win means Vikings stay in touch with ladder leaders Queanbeyan and Royals while West's remain in fourth spot on the log.
Vikings halfback Beau Mokotupu was outstanding for the home side in his 100th first grade game, scoring two tries and setting up another.
Mokotupu opened the scoring for his side after finishing off one of the team tries of the season that went through eight sets of hands before the halfback went in under the posts.
A second to Mokotupu and a trademark try to Jake Knight who showed express pace on his way to the line gave Vikings a 19-0 lead and it looked ominous for West's.
After its last start humiliation at the hands of Queanbeyan, West's were never going to lie down a second time and two quick tries saw the visitors trail by just five at the break.
The margin could have been ever closer had West's fly-half Gus McKerchar not missed a simple penalty right on half-time after Vikings prop Sione Taula was yellow carded for punching.
The second-half was marked chiefly by the performance of Vikings flanker Colby Faingaa who was clearly out to make an impression after recently winning selected in the Brumbies touring squad.
Faingaa made his presence felt in both attack and defence after several big hits before he linked up with Mokotupu to extend his sides advantage.
When Faingaa turned from scorer to provider after kicking ahead for Ed Stubbs to score the result was all but secured.
West's refused to go away as tries to Peter Sutton and Adrian Turner once again narrowed the deficit with just five minutes to play.
A try to Tim Curran in the dying stages was enough to seal the win for Vikings, the bonus point victory meaning Tuggeranong go four points clear of West's in their battle for third place on the ladder.
West's now face a must win clash against Uni-North's at Jamison next week in order to stay in touch with the top three while Vikings will take on last placed East's at Griffith.
Vikings 1st XV 41(B Mokotupu 2, J Knight, C Faingaa, E Stubbs, T Curran; B Taueki 3/5 Conv, Lealifano 1/1 Pen, 1/1 Conv) def West's
PLAYERS PLAYER - BEAU MOKOTUPU
Vikings 2nd XV 16(P.Henry, A.Goodall; A.Steele 2PG) West's 32
PLAYERS PLAYER - TRENT HOSCHER
Vikings Colts 5(N.Porter) West's 32
PLAYERS PLAYER - MICHAEL DAVIES
Vikings 3rd XV 29(D.Cush, R.Joyes, J.Gibson, A. Steele; A. Dickson 4G 1PG) West's 11
PLAYERS PLAYER - RICHARD JOYES
Vikings 4th XV 57(D. Kelly, J.Cannon, Scott Cook, A. Maloney 2, J. Rewi-Wetini, L.Kessey 2, D. Solofuti; Y.Yoshida 2G, L.Kessey 4G) West's 21
PLAYERS PLAYER - ALEX MALONEY
Vikings Brown Snakes 24(H. Hayes 2, M. Elworthy, J. Knight; J. Sayle 2G) Cooma 31
PLAYERS PLAYER - HEATH HAYES
VIQUEENS HAD A BYE.
Congratulations -
To Beau Mokotupu for reaching the Milestone of 100 1st Grade games for the Club. Beau has been in career best form this year and bagged a double of tries in the weekends win over West's.
Beau has been a major award winner on many occasions through out this career at the Vikings. He has always played with great conviction and determination.
Well done Beau!!
Congratulations to Mike Noble and Andrew Talaina on making successful debutants for the Vikings 1st XV on the weekend. Mike started at Tighthead prop and made an immediate impact while Andrew was at his favoured No. 8 position and was strong in all aspects thought out the game.
Bon Voyage Monsieur Faingaa et Lealiifano
We wish Colby Faingaa and Christian Lealiifano all the best on the Brumbies Development Tour to France. The boys will be playing 4 games while away and both can't wait to experience another culture and see a great part of the world. The brumbies will be playing games against Bourgoin-Jallieu, Bayonne, Perpignon and Toulon.
Colby has earned selection for this trip through his outstanding levels of play throughout the year, both at Club level and through his academy games, while Christian will be taking a more senior role on tour after cementing the number 10 jersey for the past 2 years barring injury.
2009 Leading Try Scorers
9 - Andrew Dickson
8 - Jake Knight
8 - Andrew Goodall
6 - Grant Lukins
6 - Ed Stubbs
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