NRC Wk 5: Stars Fight Back To Frustrate Vikings In High-Scoring Draw
by Paul Cook -
The Sydney Stars have earned their first points of the 2014 NRC with a dramatic, 37-all draw with the UC Canberra Vikings at Leichhardt Oval. Trailing 13-0 after only 12 minutes, the Stars looked to be heading towards their fourth straight defeat but two tries in the closing seven minutes of the first half had them level at 13-13 at the break.
A game that saw three yellow cards turned into a tit-for-tat contest in the second stanza with the Stars replying to every Vikings score. But when JP Smith went over with nine minutes remaining, it looked like the visitors would be claiming the spoils. However, the Stars held firm and after Jono Sullivan went in with only 20 seconds remaining, flyhalf Jack Macklin stepped up to slot the conversion and earn a