Vikings South West Conference Champions!
Somerset Vikings 30 Devon All Stars 30 - Rugby League South West Conference - 14th August 2011.
This was an absolutely cracking game of Rugby League as both sides warmed up for their next challenge. Devon look forward to an inter county tussle with Cornwall. The Somerset Vikings, South West Champions this season, move into the national quarter finals next week. The probable opposition is expected to be Gloucester Warriors although this cannot be confirmed at present.
So, although no points were at stake at Cullompton`s delightful ground, the Smedegaard sponsored Vikings were keen to show their potential against the representative Devon side. With players on both teams playing for their places the pace was fast and furious. While the frenetic nature of the play led to mistakes there was also much to admire as the lead changed hands several times.
The All stars had a number of players of outstanding quality while the Vikings marginally better teamwork ensured that neither side ever established outright supremacy.
A half time advantage for the Vikings, then 16 – 10 ahead, was turned into a 26 – 20 lead for the All Stars. Alex Stevens and Russell Morris were constant thorns in the side of the league champions. At the end a 30 – 30 draw was probably the ideal result.
The Vikings, well marshalled by hooker Craig Williams, urged on by their powerful forwards, and with a lively back division should provide a stern test for their quarter final opponents next week to be played in Bristol.
The Vikings try scorers were Lewis Smith (two), Chris Richards, Lloyd Willcocks, Williams, and Dan Hinton. Hinton converted three of the tries and Smith was man of the match.
