Round 12: Reserve Grade Vikings vs Coffs Snappers

The boys headed up for hopefully the last time this season and with multiple changes in the halves Smithy 9 and Blake Cheer 10  with Willow, Westy, Petey Segol and Tunny late inclusions putting their hand up to play we looked in not so bad shape as Howie scrambled to get a team together.

Ball was kicked off 1st half and a few penalties cost us early with Coffs kicking a penalty goal then the boys started to get a roll on earning penalty of our own with the score 3-3 we found ourselves down the field once again thru strong runs from big Clint getting us on the front foot and an attacking scrum 10m out big no 8 Jono Tunks crashed over from a nice run from the back of scrum converted 10-3 our way then Snappers responded thru an attacking raid of their own try to their dangerous flyhalf Eddie Moe’ava wheels to burn proved a handfull throughout the game.. 10-8 our way we stuck strong and reset once again found ourselves in their 22 and hit back with some tough work in the forwards with second rower Chilli earning himself and the team a try thru a pick and drive just 1 metre out  17-8 … Vikings. Really started to get it together at this point with young gun Luke Banks scoring another try in the 33rd minute down the right touch line ..shortly after injuries stuck Coffs front row goin’ to uncontested scrums didn’t help us.

Halftime we were up 22-8 coach Howie was very clear that the game was far from won and addressed the boys “if we can’t win the scrums win the breakdown …2nd half ..we didn’t do ourselves any favours after the break giving away multiple penalties to start the 2nd half but hung tough and Luke Banks scored and was converted to make it 29-8 as we know Coffs teams don’t give up easy and repeat infringements we found ourselves on the back foot with Snappers veteran forward Craig Landrigan goin’ over unconverted Vikings up 29-13 this next part of the game proved tough giving away far too many penalties but hung in there at one stage there was a rather ambitious attempt and a box kick from Jono Tunks adding to our frustration but bringing a few smiles as well.

Last try of the game was a beauty with Kiwi import Blake Cheer showing Jono how it’s done with a lovely box kick 30m out of our line a flying Luke Banks in pursuit down the left sideline gathering the ball with no one in sight scores his 2nd hat trick in 2 weeks making final score 34-13 win for Vikings Reggies and edge one step closer to securing top 2 finish.

Points: Blake Cheer 1 Jonty Smith 2 Clint Wright 3 points and Players Player.