Vikings blown away by Bournemouth in final 20 minutes

Ray Smart’s side we’re losing up until this point, but only by 7 points and they were playing some great rugby both defensively and with ball in hand, and look a threat. However Bournemouth soon proved why they are the league leaders as they ran in 29 unanswered points in the final quarter of the of match to leave the Vikings bitterly disappointed.

The game had started with the Vikings flying out the blocks and piling on the pressure against the Bournemouth defensive line, with some big early carries leading to black-and-yellows receiving a penalty right in front of the posts for one of the hosts props not rolling away.

Matt Lomas kicked the points before the Vikings had a try disallowed after referee adjudged Nick Merrien to have been held up over the line, although the Vikings were confident he had grounded the ball.

Bournemouth, who were a large imposing side got the ball in their hands and tested Vikings defensive line, which was much improved since their victory Sutton & Epsom several weeks ago. Following an infringement the hosts had a lineout 5 meters out from the Vikings line, which they gathered and the very impressive Bournemouth pack set up a solid maul and drove over for a try.

The Vikings continued to take it to the league leaders and received another penalty which Lomas again converted. But just before the end of the half Bournemouth ran in a converted try taking a 12-6 lead into the break.

Coming out for the second half Bournemouth piled on the early pressure and ran in a try to extend their lead, but the Vikings remained in the game and continued to challenge the leaders. This pressure soon told as captain Darrin Bellingham scored from close range after many pick and go phases by the visiting forwards to continue his try scoring exploits this season. Lomas missed the conversion.

After keeping themselves in the game for so long and showing how quickly they are developing the season, Ray Smart would have been praying that his team could produce this for the remaining 20 minutes. But they could not and it all went wrong for the Vikings in the final quarter.

Bournemouth who had found it tough to break through the visitors all game, we’re now finding space and a side as good as they are didn’t need to be asked twice to take advantage of it. They ran in four tries and a penalty kick to finally break the stubborn Vikings resistance and reaffirm why they are top of the league.

Vikings will take confidence from the first 60 minutes of the game, and they will be pleased that their defence is improving, however at this level they cannot switch off and have to produce an 80 minute performance to be successful.

They are next back in action against Ealing Trailfinders Academy on the 16th November, at the KGV, KO 2pm.

1. D Bellingham (c)
2. N Ashplant
3. T Bray
4. T Creed
5. D Harvey
6. M Smith
7. N Merrien
8. J Regnard
9. P de Garis
10. M Lomas
11. C Le Prevost
12. A Bailey
13. D Davison
14. M Agyei-King
15. T Quate
16. J Smith
17. M H Smith
18. T Veillard
19. P Le Noury
20. K Creber