Vikings
Matches
Sat 29 Sep 2018  ·  SUSSEX DIVISION TWO - 'ARMADA ALE'
Holbrook
14
74
Guernsey St Jacques Vikings
Vikings
Tries: J Le Roux (3), C Bolton (3), M Smith, L Gardner, J Regnard, M Lomas, B Holland, C Le PrevostConversions: M Lomas (5), C Bolton (2)
Vikings romp to big victory over Holbrook.

Vikings romp to big victory over Holbrook.

James Mroch2 Oct 2018 - 12:41
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St Jacques Vikings produced a performance to be proud of as they demolished Holbrook 14-74 in Horsham on Saturday.

So far this season they have been improving with each match, but were yet to pull together a full performance that met the expectations of Ray Smart and his coaching team. However on Saturday things started to click into place for the black and yellows, and they looked the real deal in there 12 try victory.

A new Vikings debutant has picked up the man of the match award post match, and this Saturday was no different. Joe Le Roux was rewarded for an excellent performance on the wing, where he scored three tries and terrorised the Holbrook defence all game. He showed real speed, athletic ability and try scoring instinct which if he continues with performance levels like that will ensure he is a mainstay in this Vikings side this season.

Another debutant Chris Bolton also scored a hat-trick of tries, and he too looked to be an excellent performer. He may well be playing in the green and white of the Raiders before long, however based on his showing on Saturday Ray Smart will no doubt be happy to have him in his side until then.

One negative for the Vikings was the loss of Connor Sullivan. The impressive centre picked up a minor ankle injury last week against St Francis, however he came through a fitness test in the build up this match. However he had a reoccurrence if the same injury and had to be withdrawn. His replacement Cam Le Prevost had an excellent game when he came on, making numerous impressive tackles on the wing before scoring a try of his own. The former Colt who is playing his first full season with the Vikings is improving with each game he plays. As he grows in confidence he will doubt continue his rapid development and hopefully for the Vikings will be scoring many more tries this season.

The influence of number 8 James Regnard was excellent on Saturday, as was the leadership of returning captain Leon Gardner at hooker. They both scored tries and the ever impressive second row Mitch Smith also touched down on behalf of the forwards, and overall once gain had an excellent game. Gardners’ try came following a catch and drive move off a lineout, following a Holbrook infringement.

However it was primarily the backs day on the try scoring front on this occasion, as on top of the hat-tricks from Bolton and Le Roux, and the try from Le Prevost the halfback pairing of Ben Holland and Matt Lomas both also scored in the rout. For Lomas this was his first try for the Vikings, which in the end helped him to fifteen point haul as he successfully slotted five conversions. Bolton also added two conversions at the end to take his personal points tally for the match to an impressive nineteen points.

The Vikings were dominant all over the park, their forwards carried well and were constantly putting the hosts under pressure and made metres at will. When the ball was spun wide, the backs were able to use the space created by their forwards colleagues to great effect. The set piece functioned very well, with the Vikings dominating in the scrum and their lineout performing the best it has so far this season.

The Vikings raced into a 0-28 lead within twenty minutes to all but put the game to bed, however they suffered a lapse in concentration for a period to allow the hosts to score, before finding their stride again and extending the lead to 7-47 at halftime.

In the second half the Vikings again started strongly and scored several tries, but frustratingly once again they eased up and this allowed the hosts the opportunity to apply pressure and ultimately score again. Whilst it was a good overall performance, they need to address the lapses in concentration and letting up, as stronger teams will take greater advantage of this and they could well rue this later in the season.

After the match Ray Smart gave his thoughts on his teams’ performance.

“We were really good for the first twenty minutes and we scored some excellent tries, however once we had raced into the lead we took our foot of the gas and that allowed Holbrook into the match. We need to stop these periods as they could cost us matches against stronger sides. With that said, this is only our third match of the season and we are improving and learning each week, which I am very pleased about.”

“Our forwards were very good today, the impact of Leon Gardner, James Regnard and Mitch Smith was a telling factor as they all had an excellent game. It was also very pleasing to see backs Joe Le Roux and Chris Bolton secure a hat-trick each on debut, and overall the performance from all the backs was good. The key now is to keep improving and stopping the lapses in concentration, if we do that we will continue to produce good performances.”

Match details

Match date

Sat 29 Sep 2018

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

SUSSEX DIVISION TWO - 'ARMADA ALE'

League position

6
Holbrook
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Bronze Sponsor - Deloitte
Player Sponsor - Barber Jay
Player Sponsor - Sacred Hand Tattoo
Player Sponsor  - Specsavers
Player Sponsor - Grant Thornton
Player sponsor  - Raise The Bar Fitness
Player Sponsor - GFF
Player Sponsor - Collas Crill
Player Sponsor - JW Rihoy & Son
Shirt Sponsor - Ravenscroft Stockbroking & Investment Management
Sponsor  - Granite Le Pelley