HASTINGS Valley Vikings survived a Pirates comeback to lock in another Mid North Coast rugby victory on Saturday as their charge to the finals continues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Vikings won 29-14 in windy and wet conditions at Oxley Oval in a match which they didn't have it all their own way.
Tom Woods bagged a double, while Tom Sheaves, Daniel Willoughby and Scotsman Robbie Glen scored single tries on Saturday.
Josh Hyde kicked two conversions.
It didn't take long for the Vikings to get on the board. Sheaves dived over after about 10 minutes on the back of a good lineout.
Hyde did well to convert from the sideline, given the breeze.
He hit the post after the next try, when Willoughby went over in the corner. It was 12-0 and the Vikings were firing on their home turf.
Woods' try came when the Pirates pushed over against the feed as the wind and rain increased. When Glen went over they led 24-0.
Pirates mounted a comeback in the second half as the Vikings' three-weak break began to show.
Paul Chapman dived over after a good break down the right.
They put the ball through the hands for Jacob Law to score in the opposite corner. Chris Young booted both and Pirates had the ascendancy.
Vikings lifted again though and Woods' second try sealed the match for them in the final minute.
Vikings' skipper Andrew West was a relieved man after the match.
He lauded a fantastic first half for the hosts. West said it was one of the best performances the Vikings had put in all year.
West was concerned about a lack of fitness in the second which almost allowed the Pirates to steal the game.
"They were definitely on the charge," he said.
A dislocated jaw to open side flanker Dave Kearsey soured the win for Vikings. West said the club had good depth to be able to cover for him.
"We have a number of reserve graders who could easily step into that position," he said.
"It's pretty good. This year is one of our strongest in terms of depth."
Pirates' captain Chris Geary said his team started well but the superior territory of Vikings began to put pressure on his team.
"It's all about the territory," he said.
"When you start giving away silly penalties, they get you down your own end and the pressure mounts."
