Oakes delight last-day race At Vikings to safety
NORTH Walsham Vikings picked up the bonus point they needed as they avoided relegation, despite a last-day defeat at Canterbury.
The try bonus point was all that the Vikings needed to survive, with Rochford Hundred joining Westcliff in the bottom two.
Vikings chairman Ian Fox said: “It was an enterpoint taining game. We played champagne rugby to the end, secured League 2 rugby for next season and, though we did not win, our play won the hearts of the crowd.”
Coach Ryan Oakes added: “I’m proud of everyone. Nobody has given up this season and we have survived.”
The game started brightly for the Vikings. From the kick-off, they drove to the Canterbury line where Ollie Coates scored and Matt Hodgson
converted. From the restart, Hodgson cleared from his own 22, but unfortunately, due to the strength of the wind, it went the length of the field and dead for a scrum back in the Vikings 22.
From this, Canterbury exerted a lot of forward pressure and eventually Tyler Oliver went over for an unconverted try after five minutes.
In the next 15 minutes, the jubilant Vikings ran in another three tries to secure the try bonus they required to end all threat of relegation.
The three tries came from Ethan Holmwood after 12 minutes, Hodgson after 16 minutes and Ryan Oakes after 23 minutes, all converted by Hodgson to make the score 28-5.
Sean Blyth added another try to extend the lead after 30 minutes.
Stung into action, Canterbury responded severely. After 32 minutes, the Vikings gave away a five-metre penalty from
which Sam Rogers scored a try, converted by Lewis Hollister.
Just on half-time, Thomas Best scrambled in for a try that was again converted by Hollidge, to reduce the interval deficit to 33-19.
The second half began with a Canterbury 50/22 clearance. They won the throw about 15 metres out and the catchand-drive created a second try for Best, which was converted by Frank Reynolds. In the 46th minute, Canterbury drove over again for a converted try by Young to level the scores at 33-33.
Oliver drove over for a second converted try in the 60th minute.
The Vikings responded quickly with an unconverted Jim Riley try to close to within two points.
However, Canterbury scored two further tries. Charles Kingsman got an unconverted score in the 80th minute and four minutes later he was followed over by Harvey Furneaux. Referee Simon Waite blew for time as the conversion went over.
Vikings director of rugby James Knight said: “It’s been a hell of a journey. This team don’t know how to give up. I am proud of them and happy there will be League 2 rugby at Scottow next season.”
Knight hailed young debutant Russ Arnold as man of the match.