Vikings View Rd3
Vikings too strong for Easts
Andrew Johnston
Brumbies duo Huia Edmonds and John Ulugia led Tuggeranong Vikings to an impressive 72-7 win over Eastern Suburbs at Viking Park on Saturday.
Vikings were clearly bolstered by the inclusion of Edmonds, while winger Brendan Taueki celebrated his recent selection in the Australian Schoolboys Squad with a double as the home side ran in 12 tries to one.
In his first match for Vikings in nine years, former Tuggeranong junior and Super 14 star Edmonds put in a dominant performance, scoring one try and setting up several others.
"I'm pretty happy, I just try to get my hands on the ball as much as possible and whenever I can I try to make the most of it", Edmonds said.
Despite the size of the loss, Easts inside-centre Jimmy Crompton remained positive about the result.
"I think across the park we put in a lot more effort defensively this week than we did last time and hopefully we can build on that", Crompton said.
While the effort may have been there for the visitors, the execution was sadly lacking and Vikings took full advantage, scoring seven first-half tries as they raced out to a 41-0 lead at the break.
Edmondsproved simply unstoppable, breaking the line at will as he and fellow forwards Ulugia and Colby Faingaa laid the platform for Vikings to unleash out wide, which they did to devastating affect.
Taueki was the main beneficiary, while fellow winger Jake Knight continued on his incredible try scoring run, crossing for two tries of his own as Vikings extended the lead past 60 with 25 minutes still to play.
With a win well and truly out of reach, Easts did well to limit the damage in the final stages as they continued to press for their first five-pointer of the season.
Their persistence was rewarded two minutes from fulltime when giant winger Nate Lowers refused to be denied, carrying several defenders over the line in a powerful individual effort.
After the match Edmonds was full of praise for his new side.
"We've got some really good young players and we've got some really exciting players, which is good for Tuggeranong rugby and it's good for ACT rugby", Edmonds said.
In other results, Canberra Royals maintained their position at the top of the table with a narrow win over Queanbeyan Whites at Campese Field while Wests upset Uni-Norths at ANU.
Vikings 1st XV 72(B Taueki 2, J Knight 2, C Faingaa 2, D Auliitia 2, H Edmonds, M O'Brien, S Taula, T Curran; J Te Huia 5/10 Conv, D Auliitia 1/2 Conv) def Easts 7(N Lowers; J Crompton 1/1 Conv)
Players Player: Sione Taula
Vikings 2nd XV 65( P.Toumoua, S.Irwin, T.Reudiger 2, O.Ramsden 2, A.Goodall 4, I.Ratulevu; JD Stephenson 4G, R.Yashi 1G) def Easts 0
Players Player: Trent Hoscher
Vikings Colts 43 (J Gould, R Awa, A Crowe, L Cargill, N Porter, C Wilkinson 2; C Wilkinson 4G) def Gungahlin 7
Players Player: Josh Hitchens
Vikings 3rd XV 29 (G Lukins, G Kuczerka, S French, J Gibson, T Blencowe; A Steele 2G) def Easts 7
Players Player: Matt Gardner
Vikings 4th XV 31 (D Solofuti, T Blencowe, T O'Brien, T Burrell 2; L Kessey 3G) def Easts 19
Players Player: Matt Smith
Vikings 'Brown Snakes' 0 v Cooma 59
Players Player: Joe O'Neill
ViQueens 68 (S Stewart-Jones, P Butt 3, K Wilson, C Hill 2, G Prasad 2, N Ayers, S Milward, K Giteau 2; N Ayers 3G, S Milward 1G)
Players Player: Pip Butt
Next Home Game
Vikings v Queanbeyan
At Viking Park
20.06.09
1st Grade 3.05pm
Gates open 10am
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
2009 Try Scorers
Here is a list of your leading tryscorers for season 2009. The tries have only include the season proper and not the pre-season "practice" tries.
6 - Jake Knight
5 - Tim Curran
5 - Andrew Goodall
5 - Kristy Giteau
4 - Simon French
3 - Ed Stubbs
3 - Colby Faingaa
3 - Craig Wilkinson
3 - Jordan Knight
3 - Lee Cargill
2009 Merchandise
All merchandise for season 2009 is available at all home games through the Red Army or during office hours at the adminsitraion block through myself. The price lists are as follows
100% Wool Pull Over - Dark Blue $100.00
2009 Tuggeranong Vikings Hoodie $50.00
2009 Tuggeranong Vikings Polo Shirt $35.00
Tuggeranong Viking Red Polar Fleece $35.00
Tuggeranong Viking Hat $15.00