Vikings View Round 8 vs Royals
Vikings trampled in Royal rampage
Andrew Johnston
Royals has sounded an ominous warning to its competition rivals, disposing of fierce rivals Tuggeranong Vikings 52-33 in round 8 of the John I Dent Cup at Phillip on Saturday.
The Vikings were bolstered by the return of Brumbies fly half Christian Lealiifano and the inclusion of former Australian rugby league star Nathan Blacklock but they were both outshone by Royals centre Tim Cornforth who scored a hat-trick against his former club.
The loss means Vikings slip to fourth on the table while Royals seventh straight win sees them remain undefeated, eight points clear at the top of the standings.
In front of a bumper home crowd and in perfect conditions, Royals began the match strongly and were soon rewarded as Cornforth crossed for his first of the match after just five minutes.
Royals continued to press throughout the half but despite numerous opportunities they proved unable to breach a desperate Vikings defence before Tuggeranong levelled the scores five minutes out from half-time.
With Royals on the attack, Blacklock intercepted a loose pass before a nice interchange of passing from the Vikings backs saw the visitors in under the posts.
But Vikings good work in defence was largely undone when Royals crossed for a second soft try right on half-time to take a 14-7 lead into the break.
Royals came out firing in the second-half as Vikings cracked under the weight of a mountain of defensive work, the effort proving too much as the home side began to pile on the points.
A yellow card to Vikings captain Chris Slack compounding his side's problems as a second-half double to Cornforth helped Royals extend its lead to 26-points midway through the half.
But with the game seemingly beyond reach, Lealiifano finally began to display the class expected of a Super 14 player and his combination with barnstorming outside-centre Ed Stubbs helped turn the match.
Three quick tries to Vikings narrowed the gap to just seven points in the final minutes before Royals scored two late tries to seal a 19-point victory.
Vikings 1st XV 33 (M.Henry, C.Lealiifano 2, E.Stubbs 2; J.Te Huia 1G, C.Lealiifano 2G, A.Goddall 1G) Royals 52
PLAYERS PLAYER - CHRISTIAN LEALIIFANO
Vikings 2nd XV 8 (L. Culnane; A.Steele 1PG) Royals 12
PLAYERS PLAYER - ISIKELE RATILEVU
Vikings Colts 7 (T.Tapara; C.Wilkinson 1G) Royals 17
PLAYERS PLAYER - TIMI TAPARA
Vikings 3rd XV 21 (S.French, A.Dickson 2; A.Dickson 3G) Royals 39
PLAYERS PLAYER - ANDREW DICKSON
Vikings 4th XV 1 (D.Kelly, T.B'Brien; L.Kessey 1G 2PG) Royals 27
PLAYERS PLAYER - LEON KESSEY
Vikings Brown Snakes 17 (T.Maly, J.Knight; J.Sayle 2G 1PG) Yass 12
PLAYERS PLAYER - JOE O'NEILL
Congratulations
Congratulations to Kristy Giteau who has been selected in the Australian Women's Team after great performances for the ACT Women's Team up at the Gold Coast last weekend.
Kristy joins a select few of Vikings players for season 2009 that have played for their country. Prop John Totini represent Samoa in U/20 World Cup in Japan while Emile Wessels played for his beloved Namibia against the Ivory Coast in a world Cup qualifier two weeks ago.
Also congratulations to both Trent Hoscher and Brendon Taeuki, who have both completed their second Australian Schoolboys Tournament, Both players conducted themselves in a professional manner both on and off the field during the tournament and where a credit to the club.
Beau Mokotupu is set to play his 100th 1st Grade game for the club this weekend against West's. Beau has been a valued member of the 1st Grade squad since he started his time at Vikings and it would be fitting if there was a lot of support from the spectators to help celebrate this milestone. We will be having the aftermatch in the auditorium following the game where on the big screens you will be able to view the Wallabies take on the All Blacks, speeches will be at half time of the test.
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 North's.
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
Top Try Scorers
9 - Andrew Dickson
7- Andrew Goodall
7 - Jake Knight
6 - Grant Lukins
5 - Ed Stubbs
5 - Simon French
4 - Brendon Taueki
4 - Craig Wilkinson
4 - Kristy Giteau
4 - Tommy Blencowe
4 - Tim Curran