Rugby: Vikings lose at home for first time this season

Tuesday 22 October 2024

St Jacques Vikings unbeaten home league record is over, as Ellingham & Ringwood secured a narrow victory on the club pitch at Footes Lane on Saturday.

It was a day when the Vikings had plenty of scoring opportunities, but ultimately failed to take them. The visitors were worthy 15-10 winners however after some impressive defensive efforts.

The Vikings are adapting to life in Counties One Hampshire, and while they are learning quickly, failure to take scoring chances against experienced sides at this level will make their task considerably more difficult.

One positive was the Vikings improving defence, which has been a big focus for Layton Batiste and his coaching team recently. Although Ellingham outscored them two tries to one, the Vikings were fairly comfortable in this area, and they are developing with every game.

The game started as a cagey contest.

Sam Ferry had a great chance to get the Vikings on the board after an excellent attacking move had created an overlap, but cruelly the winger knocked the ball on with the line beckoning.

The visitors made them pay for that when they got the scoring started after 20 minutes.

Having worked themselves into the St Jacques 22, Ellingham went through multiple phases before they found a gap and they burst over for unconverted score.

The Vikings responded quickly. Kieran Creber touched down for the home side. This followed an excellent sweeping move from left to right, which Creber was on the end of to slide into the corner. Tom Veillard added the touchline conversion.

The visitors then restored their lead through a straightforward penalty kick at goal.

St Jacques were having plenty of periods of possession and found themselves in the Ellingham & Ringwood 22 on several occasions. Impressive defence from the visitors on their own line kept them out. 

As half-time approached, the visitors extended their lead when after a prolonged period of attack, they found a chink in the Vikings armour to score. The try was converted.

At the break Batiste gave his side some stern words, as he felt they were not performing to the standard he expects of them.

They took those words into the second period and started much brighter. They were playing with more freedom and stretching the Ellingham defence.

Captain Veillard soon added a penalty kick for the Vikings and the deficit was reduced to five points.

Playing with renewed vigour to secure a further try, St Jacques were having long periods of possession again. They found themselves deep in the visitors half of many occasions, and turned down several likely kickable penalties in an attempt to secure the next try. Crucially, the visitor’s defence stood firm.

Jacob Smith looked destined to score, as the big powerhouse dived to force himself over. A big covering tackle dislodged the ball and the chance was lost.

Another strong set from the Vikings forwards had them knocking on the door again. This time the ball was spun out and unfortunately knocked on by Matt Lomas-Lloyd when another score looked certain.

Ellingham did have a chance of their own to extend their lead, but terrific last ditch defence from the Vikings on their own line forced a knock on, when attempting to touch down.

As the game drew to its conclusion, the Vikings were hunting for the match winning try. Tom Creed made a massive carry and looked like he grounded the ball. The referee could not see it however, and Creed was injured in his attempt to score, meaning a stoppage in play, and the momentum was lost.

The Vikings came again, but in the end they just could not score andEllingham & Ringwood left with a narrow victory.

St Jacques got a losing bonus point, and now head towards an away clash with Portsmouth next weekend.