Round 9: Vikings vs Port Pirates

A missed conversion attempt after the full time siren saw the Viking First XV continue their unbeaten run in the UMNCRU competition winning 33 – 31. In a cracking match of rugby the Pirate boys made a statement that the 2022 First Grade Premiership is not a foregone conclusion. Both sides played conflicting styles of rugby. The Pirates running the ball utilizing the speed of their backline while the Viking team relied on the power game of their forward pack which has proved so successful to date this season.

After being down early in the game the Vikings went into half time leading 19-12 after three forward tries, Tyla Murvai (2) and Agapei Eukaliti the scorers. The Viking pack dominated the set pieces throughout the match winning lineout ball and scrums but the lead seesawed in the second stanza, first seeing the Pirates lead then after tries to both the McCormack brothers the Vikings seemed to have the match in their keeping leading 33-26 before the Pirates found the energy to cross in the final seconds of the match. The missed conversion gave the spoils to the Viking team. All players in the team can feel proud of their performance although Ags for the second week in a row was the standout performer on the paddock.

Reggies went down 7-24 in a scoreline that didn’t reflect the closeness of the match. The depowering of scrums in the game taking away the obvious advantage the Viking pack had over their rivals. 18’s won 21-7 the first time the Vikings have beaten a Pirates 18’s team in over 10 years of clashes. 16’s suffered their first loss of the season going down 12-33 with all facets of their kicking game letting them down while the 14’s are still looking for their first victory of the season going down 7 -28.