Round 5 (Rescheduled Postponed Match) Vikings vs Port Pirates

What a difference a day makes. Well how about 4! The Vikings First XV put the Pirates First Grade team to the sword on Wednesday evening 31 – 14 only four days after suffering their first defeat of the season to that same Pirate team. This time around, however, it was not the same Viking team. The return of regular backline players Snowy Kennedy and Harry sergeant helped contain the potent Pirate backline but the game was won, as they have been all season, by a dominant forward pack. All contributed from team captain Lyndon Gale on the side to Jeremy and Tyla up front although the standout performer on the night was Number 8 Oscar Maleli. His penetrating runs were just too difficult for the Pirate lads to handle and he made good ground each time he handled and twice crashed over for tries.

The 5 tries to 2 victory was well celebrated by the team who have now ended the Pirates late run for a top two berth. Special mention to Ben Cutler at half who has made a good fist of filling in for the inspirational Adam McCormack for both Pirate games. He has filled the big shoes adequately but the team will go to greater heights with Adam’s return for the Final Series matches.

This Saturday the Vikings face SCU Marlins in the final round of the competition then face the same team a week later at the same venue in the Major Semi Final the winner to get hosting rights for the 2022 Grand Final.

Jakob Haines & Peter Segol