Round 14 Vikings vs Port Pirates
Hastings Valley Vikings First XV tasted defeat for the first time this season at the hands of local rivals the Port Pirates in their penultimate Round 14 clash 25-42. Both teams scored 5 tries but kicking proved the difference. The Pirates converting 4 tries and putting over 3 penalty goals. The Viking team not landing a goal during the match.
The Viking pack won the tough forward exchanges but the speed of the Pirate backline was where the damage was caused. Having regular backline players, Adam McCormack, halfback, Snowy Kennedy, flyhalf and goalkicker and centre Harry Sargent absent for the match did not help the Viking cause. All will be welcomed back for the final series matches in the coming weeks.
The two teams will do it all again this Wednesday night 6.45pm at Stuart Park when they go around again in the postponed Round 5 match. A win for the Pirates in this game will almost certainly see them take second position on the ladder and renew the local rivalry in the Major Semi Final match at Oxley Oval on 13th August. A loss will see SCU Marlins clinch second position.
The Pirates had a day to celebrate taking out the 14’s, 16’s and 18’s matches only going down on the day in Reggies 26-7. The Viking win in this grade sees them join Firsts as Minor Premiers for the 2022 season. This match highlighted by the three try effort of fill in flyhalf Jakob Haines.
More photos courtesy of Jeremy Rogers in the 2022 Gallery here >>
Round 14: Vikings vs Port Pirates
Round 14: Vikings vs Port Pirates