Reserve Grade vs Kempsey 7/5/22

Another tough hit out for our reserve grade side versus a very tough and willing Kempsey Cannonballs team. With Oxley Oval bathed in sunlight and The Ladies lining the sideline for our annual Vikings Ladies day, the Vikings were eager to rectify the scoreboard this week after a heartbreaking last minute loss last week. From the initial whistle the Emerald gold and black piled the pressure on and within minutes were rewarded  with a try to winger Zac McNee.

Looking like righting the wrongs of last week, unfortunately old habits die hard for our side and ill discipline and mistakes crept in to the game which ultimately led to Kempsey hitting back with a converted try of their own making the score 5 to 7 in favour of the visitors. Regrouping and gaining field position  led to the Vikings next try to Zarn Durdevic out wide with kick unsuccessful, score now our way 10 to 7.Kempsey hit back late in the half with sustained pressure on our try line and Vikings holding on desperately but inevitably giving away too many penalties saw Pete “Bega” Segol getting 10mins stint on the sideline while watching Kempsey cross over for the second try  which went unconverted and going into halftime Kempsey led 10 to 12. Halftime speech went unheard by the Vikings as straight after the break an error and then a conceded penalty put the visitors up 15 to 10. Back in the grind the Vikings, even through errors and a mounting penalty account against us, hit back with with a try to the hard-working back rower Aaron Lee, levelling scores.

Minutes later saw the Viking receive a penalty 25 metres form the Kempsey line where Jonty Smith lined it up and dissected the posts to put the side ahead 18 to 15 with still 10mins to go.The next few minutes of play saw both sides have chances to take the game by the horns with a crucial forward pass nullifying a break away potential game winner for the Vikings Keeping the Ladies and other patrons on the edge of their seats until the Vikings Backline took matters in to their own hands when  Jakob Hainsy Haines scored in the corner for the eventual winning margin of 23 to 15 to the home side.

The win had special extra meaning for the boys as one of our loved fan favourite veterans Heath Simpson, decided the day would be his final battle for the Emerald, Gold and Black. Thank you Heath for all of the  blood sweat and tears you have given our club over the last 8 years.

Points went to 3. Jono Tunks 2. Zarn Durdevic 1. Aaron Lee
P.P Jono Tunks