Vikings hooker Seilala Lam leads the charge against Queensland Country

University of Canberra Vikings Media Release –

The University of Canberra Vikings took down Queensland Country 26-21 in a fast paced battle at Viking Park on Saturday.

UC Vikings had difficulty executing their lineouts in the first half, losing the ball in the air and into the hands of the opposition multiple times. At half time, scores were equal 13-13, but it was the UC Vikings who managed to power home in the back 40 to claim their second win.

Both teams picked up the aggression in the second half but UC Vikings dominated adding another two tries, claiming their first home victory of the year.

“The game was a lot faster than I expected”, said UC Vikings winger Joe Tomane.

“To play the attacking rugby that we want to play we have to have the engine.”

Jarrad Butler scored the first try for the match after a lineout and maul set up the opportunity. Jesse Mogg converted adding the three points, pushing the home side out to an 8-0 lead.

Minutes later an intercept pass in front of goals on the try line from Joe Tomane resulted in Queensland Country’s Clynton Knox score try number one for the visitors.  Kicker Matt Brandon equalled the points with a successful conversion and it was even at 8-8 after 12 minutes.

Queensland then took the lead, mirroring the set-up of the UC Vikings first try with Beau Robinson scoring to the left. Brandon missed the conversion. Queensland’s Ben Adams closely followed with a yellow card after he was pulled up for not rolling away.

UC Viking Jerome Niumata showed to be a reputable replacement for Henry Speight at 14, showcasing control and quick side stepping, gaining metres on Queensland’s defence. His hard work was rewarded with a try in the 33rd minute scoring off a pass from Mogg, placing the ball down in the far right hand corner and moving the UC Vikings ahead, 13-13.

The second half was dominated by defence but UC Vikings pushed through two tries to secure the win. UC Vikings Nigel Ah Wong activated his fast speed taking the ball 40 metres to score on the left side. Mogg backed it up, booting it through the posts adding three more points to the board to make it 21-13.

Within the last five minutes UC Vikings battled to keep the ball away from their try line, holding up an attempt by Queensland. Robbie Coleman hit back with a cracker of a try in the left corner through a pass from Ah Wong to put his side out to an unassailable lead, 26-13.

Queensland’s James Turner narrowed the final margin with a converted try after the bell, but it wasn’t enough for the Queenslanders to trouble the UC Vikings, who stuck it out for a 26-21 win.

UC Vikings will have a week off next week thanks to the bye.

“We have just got to work out our identity as a football team and how we want to play.” said Head Coach Dan McKellar.

“We certainly want to play football and run the ball but we just have to be disciplined and make sure we pick the right moments.”

UC Vikings 26 (Jarrad Butler, Jerome Niumata, Nigel Ah Wong, Robbie Coleman tries; Jesse Mogg 2 cons) defeated Queensland Country 21(Clynton Knox, Beau Robinson, James Turner tries; Matt Brandon 2 cons)