It is not the first time this season that the Vikings have had to come from behind when on the road to scrape an important victory, but they can be very proud of their response in the second half of the match.

Playing on both a narrow and short pitch, Tottonians made perfect use of the home surroundings to get off to a great start.

They scored the first try of the match after having worked themselves into the Vikings 22. Their impressive fly-half Robbie Searle was controlling the tempo well and getting his players on the front foot, before distributing wide to take advantage of space left by the Vikings to score an unconverted try.

Smart’s side responded quickly, however, and it came from what is proving this season to be a potent attacking weapon, their driving maul.

Having won a penalty, they kicked upfield just inside the Tottonians 22. James Mroch delivered the ball at the lineout and was on hand to regather at the back of the maul, which marched the home side back towards their line. Mroch remained on the ball until a few metres out before driving over to score. Lomas converted the try.

The home side regathered the lead through a straightforward penalty, before scoring two further unanswered tries, taking advantage of some weak defensive efforts from the Vikings.

As half-time approached Tottonians added another penalty to take a 25-7 lead at the break.

The impact of the Vikings bench was going to be needed in the second period, and they had to find more if they had any chance of getting back into the game.

They found the desired impact through the introduction of Dan Brown. The big second row proved himself to be a menace when he entered the action, making several marauding carries to get the Vikings back onto the front foot, as well as securing two quick turnovers. It was no surprise that it was from one of Brown’s forward charges the Vikings scored first in the second half.

He gathered the ball inside the home team’s 22, from where he powerfully saw off four would-be defenders to force his way under the posts. Lomas converted the try.

The black-and-yellows were now starting to show why they never feel out of a game, playing much better rugby both with and without the ball.

Taylor Quate was producing an inspired performance in the centres, with big important tackles and making metres with the ball in hand. He would later be named man of the match.

The Vikings narrowed the gap again next, after a break from Tom Veillard. He found space in the Totts line and charged though, before kicking ahead for Quate to impressively chase down. He was stopped short of the line, but Mitchell Smith was on hand to pick up and dive over the line for an unconverted score.

Both Ivan Donaldson and Joe Le Roux were now on the field from the bench, and they had an impact on the game. They added more to the Vikings, both making impressive contributions.

Quate may have just missed out on scoring, but was not long until he got a chance to put that right.

The Vikings had a lineout 25m out, they gathered and drove towards the line before the maul came to a stop. The ball was passed out to a waiting Quate who showed impressive footwork to evade several defenders and score. Lomas converted and the Vikings were in front again.

Having defended so well in the second half, the Vikings then slipped up as Tottonians found a gap in their line and they impressively exploited it to maximum effect. They charged upfield and managed to break, eventually rounding the final defender Gearoid Lee to score under the posts. Searle converted the score to put them back in front by six points.

Whilst the Vikings had to find another score, they were playing with real intent and were creating opportunities as the pressure began to tell. They got that score through Mitch Smith, who scored his second of the match.

From the base of a scrum 10m out, the St Jacques no 8 picked up and was quick enough to evade the defenders to score close to the posts. Lomas added the vital conversion and the Vikings again had the lead by one point.

Tottonians were not done trying to create an opportunity to win the match, but the Vikings stood firm with resolute defence.

As the game came towards the end Le Roux suffered a head injury that forced a lengthy stoppage in play. He was swiftly attended to by the Vikings medical team, and he eventually left the field on his feet much to the relief of everyone at Water Lane.

Once play restarted Pierre de Garis gave the Vikings a final chance to put the game to bed. The scrum-half spotted a gap down the blindside which he quickly exploited and charged towards the line. He was impressively halted just 2m out and bundled into touch, as the referee blew for full-time.

This was a close call for St Jacques, but they can be proud of the response they provided in the second half to turn the game around.

After the match Head Coach Ray Smart was a relieved man, having seen his side score 26 points in the second period. He said:

‘We were not great in the first half today, we had to have a very honest chat at half-time, and thankfully the guys responded well. We came out firing in the second half and got three tries back quickly. I was really pleased with how the lads responded, and with the heart they showed to get themselves back into the match.’

‘We know this league is competitive, but it says a lot about our guys as they find a way to win, they’ve got great desire. To find a way to come back into the game, and to not make mistakes at the end of the game when it really matters is a great habit to have. We just have to work on not putting ourselves in that position moving forward.’ Added Smart.

Next up for the Vikings is a home clash with Locks Heath Pumas on Saturday. That match will be on the club pitch at Footes Lane, kick-off is 1.30pm.