Round 15 – Vikings vs SCU Marlins
Vikings First XV defeated SCU Marlins 43-12 in the final round of the MNCRU season in a very dour match that had little flow due to constant whistle blown stoppages. With their ladder position and opponent locked in for the Major Semi Final next week, both teams face each other once again, players were rested or given early showers when the result was no longer in doubt. Next Saturday both teams will have improved line ups but the outcome will be the same.
The Viking pack did not try to trample the Marlin boys in the scrum having rested their impact Welsh front rower Tyla Mervai. Oscar Maleli, however, did his own trampling backing up his devastating Wednesday night performance against the Pirates with another man of the match display. He was too big and too powerful and found the tryline three times. He was ably supported in the pack by Charlie Freeman at flanker who knocked over bigger opponents all match and those little legs got him to the tryline with a great sideline run in the second stanza. The man is short in stature but big in heart.
The winner of the Major Semi Final hosts the Grand Final on August 27. Every Grand Final since 2013 has been held at Oxley Oval. There will be no change this year. Under 14’s put in their best performance of the year to go down by a single try 19-12. 16’s lost 5-0 in a shortened match due to a serious injury to Alex Zavone who has thankfully now been cleared of spinal damage. 18’s triumphed 22-7 while Second Grade looked the goods winning 53 to 12.
Next Saturday Firsts and Reggies each play in the Major Semi at Oxley while 18’s and 16’s will both do battle in the Minor Semi at Stuart Park in Port Macquarie on Sunday afternoon.
More photos courtesy of Jeremy Rogers in the 2022 Gallery here >>
Vikings V SCU Marlins – First XV – 6th August 22
Vikings V SCU Marlins – First XV – 6th August 22