Mud slows down Vikings’ advance
There should be plenty of early arrivals to training for the Porirua Vikings’ premier side this week.
They were well-beaten by Randwick, 44-14, at a muddy Naenae Park on Saturday. The result puts Randwick into the grand final, while the Vikings have to turn around and play old foes Wainuiomata at Fraser Park this Saturday in the elimination final.
Randwick made the Vikings play around the fringes, just like they did when these two teams met on the same ground earlier this season. The homeside’s tactic of running at the smaller Vikings’ halves made them plenty of ground.
It was hard to watch for coach Peter Rikiriki but he paid credit to Randwick.
‘‘We didn’t perform anywhere near our best and the ground was awful, it’s muddy all the time and does not suit our style of play. But Randwick wanted it more and it showed – for 10 years they have fallen at the semifinal stage and they were determined to get to a grand final.’’
With the forecast for rain this week, and Rikiriki reporting that Fraser Park is in a similar state to Naenae Park, they are going to have to come up with a game plan to take ground conditions out of the equation.
“The boys got together in a huddle after the [Randwick] game and talked about what we need to do, we will get back on track I’m sure.
‘‘They will be showing up early to training. ’’