The Tuggeranong Vikings have kept up the momentum in their impressive regular season as they took down the Gungahlin Eagles 45-34 at Nicholls Enclosed this afternoon.
The Tuggeranong Vikings would start red hot as they have so many times this season, opening the match with the quick tries inside 20 minutes through forwards Alec Lambert and Justin Sikimeti. Lambert would find his first five-pointer of the match in the 11th minute as a dominant rolling maul gifted the prop an early try for his side. Sikimeti however would do it all himself for his try, receiving the ball one out from the ruck and breaking through three tackles for his sides second try.
With both efforts converted by Ryan Lonergan, the Vikings would lead 14-3 inside 15 minutes of play after Gungahlin's Jack Hardy took an early shot for a penalty goal.
In the 24th minute Samuel Thomas would ensure his Vikings score the opening three tries as a similarly dominant rolling maul to the first try was executed letting Tuggeranong's number two fall over the line taking the score to 21-3.
Minutes later in the 27th, Gungahlin would finally nab what would be their only try in the first half after falling short of a long range effort before a pinpoint pass from Klayton Thorn would find a hard-running Liae Tuilagi who would have no problems getting through Tuggeranong's line and scoring under the posts.
The Vikings would however get the final say in the opening half, reaffirming their lead through Darcy Swain collecting a short ball after running support for Cameron Holt and scoring the visiting sides fourth try in the half.
Gungahlin would however commence a 10 minute frenzy as they attempted to narrow the gap on the scoreboard. Scoring three tries in that window, Kadin Pritchard played a key role as he would score the first before breaking through the line and dishing the ball out to Klayton Thorn for the second try. The final five-pointer was a result of a slick short-side play through Clay Uyen linking with Jack Condon before finally letting Jack Hardy race away for the try.
Clawing their way back into the match Gungahlin would now face just a 27-28 point deficit with just over half an hour left in the match.
The Vikings would however snuff out the Eagles' comeback hopes soon after as the 55th minute would see Lambert find another rolling maul try identical to his first before Harri Williams would convert for a 35-27 lead.
Scoring the final blow for the visitors however would be Harri Williams showing his fancy footwork, dancing around the ruck close to the try-line before diving over for Tuggeranong's 6th try.
The home side would get a consolation try to end the match however as a pick and drive effort in the 79th minute would see Tsumura Taishi duck under the Vikings defensive effort and score the final try. With Hardy converting the effort, Gungahlin would just fall short taking the final tally to 45-34 in favour of the visiting Vikings.
Tuggeranong Vikings 45 (Tries: Alec Lambert 2, Justin Sikimeti, Samuel Thomas, Darcy Swain, Harri Williams; Conversions: Ryan Lonergan 4, Harri Williams 2) def. Gungahlin Eagles 34 (Tries: Liae Tuilagi, Kadin Pritchard, Klayton Thorn, Jack Hardy, Tsumura Taishi; Conversions: Jack Hardy; Penalty Goals: Jack Hardy)
