Recap

Vikings beat Goulburn 18s in rusty return

By THE SIDELINE EYE

Could they remember how to play?

While training continued with the core group of disciplined and the uninjured, with an eight-week break at the wrong end of the season, and our boys playing the physically biggest team in the competition… nervous is the only word we could probably print to describe the energy of the team pregame.

After the first few minutes of play, a Vikings red card 20m out was snapped up by Jake Rudd, totally owning his new role in the 10 jersey and drilled the penalty kick beautifully. This was exactly what the team needed! You could see them all rise 2’inches taller as they run in to congratulate Jake and in the words of Anna Lind-Hansen from big brother it was “game on moles “.

Archer Shepard in the 7 was magic in the line outs ending up with all bar 2 of the line out balls no Matter who’s possession. The forwards found the contact really physical, but true to form they kept pigging!

Angus Dalglish seemed to be in a different position than he has been to this game, but I liked it! he was busy and bothersome to the Vikings. Scrambling back possession of a few ground balls you would think someone of his height would never be able to stoop down and regather!

Fatigue set in a bit, loss of ball possession in the rucks and a penalty saw slick Vikings backs over the line. Jake Rudd perhaps inspired by Olympic fever, decided to give the forwards a well-earned rest, and a perfectly weighted chip and chase seeing him motoring away down the fields and scored in the corner. Tendinitis wasn’t slowing this pocket rocket today!

This kid had a bit to say in the last bunch of weeks training but he played one of his best games all season and I don’t know what all the whinging was for!

Daniel Garten’s shoulder didn’t hold up to the physicality of the game today and he returned to warm the bench almost making half a game. The big H man, had to take a small sideline break after big contact left him a little rattled. Brayden Crooks also came off with a stir in complaint. You never see this kid not finish a game, so this was worrying.

Another quick tap off a penalty saw Vikings over again, but going into halftime against this mob at 7-10 is something to be proud of, and I hope the boys are!

A breather and a second half game plan saw us come out well.

Jack “the flash “White was running the ball fast and making great metres building the Vikings frustrations.

Isaac Stanberg and his cracking clean out technique was really starting to ruffle a few feathers and then things started to unravel.

Play started to get a little less friendly and less controlled with a few boots to the head in the rucks, so our ruck clean-outs started to get more urgent. Then before you knew it there were more cards than a poker game.

The game ended a tad early 20-8. The boys left Vikings Park with a very loud and very clear message from coach Dave. That no matter what, even at the end of your tether, fighting has no place on the rugby field. Remember life’s greatest lessons are usually learned at the worst times and from the worst mistakes.

Onwards and upwards minus two of our best. Wests at Wests for the second last game of the season.

Best and fairest points went to Jake Rudd (3), Jack White (2) and Brayden Crook (1) with Jake Rudd also named Players Player.

Tuggeranong 20 bt Goulburn 8 (Jacob Rudd try, Jacob Rudd penalty goal).

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