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St Jacques Vikings got their promotion hopes back on track on Saturday with an important home victory over Winchester Seconds.
Back on the Garenne Stand pitch at Footes Lane, the Sarnian side scored six tries in front of a good-sized crowd, but they were made to work for the 38-12 win by a spirited visiting side.
They welcomed back many of their regular experienced players for the contest and handed a debut to hooker Daniel De Kock, who produced an inspired performance which resulted in three tries and a man-of-the-match award for his efforts.
After the defeat to US Portsmouth in their last game, Vikings wanted to make a positive start and did just that.
They were ahead inside the first five minutes, thanks to a try from scrum-half Pierre de Garis.
The home side were on the attack almost from the first whistle and had worked their way into the Winchester 22.
The forwards were carrying with endeavour trying to find a way through the visitor's defensive line, but, in the end, de Garis spotted a gap and touched down. Dan Rice added the conversion.
While Vikings took an early lead, they were not able to extend that for some time.
The visitors frustrated the black and yellows with resolute defence, particularly at the breakdown where they secured several turnovers.
Dan Brown was introduced from the replacements after 25 mins and he provided a positive impact, with strong carries that were taking several Winchester defenders a time to halt him.
Unfortunately, the home side soon lost flanker Tom Yarwood, who was having a strong game. He made an impressive tackle on one of the visitors' big front-row players but was trapped underneath the player in the aftermath.
St Jacques also lost Joe Le Roux for 10 mins, after a series of team infringements saw the centre yellow carded.
After 30 minutes of stalemate, the home side broke through.
They kicked to the corner from a penalty and rom 5m out caught and drove towards the line with a powerful maul. De Kock was at the back of and subsequently scored. The conversion was missed.
Winchester quickly got themselves back into possession following the restart. They capitalised from this to score an unconverted try as half-time beckoned.
The second period started brightly for the Sarnian side. Wth the words of coach Alec Bailey still ringing in their ears, they appeared to find another level after the restart.
After securing a turnover following a big tackle by Rice deep in the Winchester 22, the home side were awarded a scrum. From that set piece they executed a high-quality launch move that saw the ball pass through the hands before captain Matt Lomas delivered a sublime long-range pass to Kieran Creber, who touched down in the corner. Rice added the touchline conversion.
The visitors worked their way back into the contest again, though, with another score to keep the pressure on the Vikings.
It was the home side who scored next. They kicked downfield after winning a penalty. From 20m out they caught and drove at the lineout and were again marching towards the line. The maul was halted, but De Kock was quick to respond by bursting through the Winchester defence to score. The conversion was missed.
The driving maul was proving to be a very effective weapon for St Jacques, and they extended their lead from it again. This time from 5m out, Tom Creed caught the ball, and De Kock was on the end of it to touch down for his hat-trick. The conversion was narrowly missed.
Sam Clarke had the final say on the match after the Vikings winger spotted a gap in the tiring Winchester defence. He showed impressive power to force his way through, and had just enough to see off the final defender and touch down. Rice added the extra two points as the game drew towards the conclusion.
In the end, it was a good win for the Vikings, but they were made to work for it.
It was not a perfect showing, but they had more than enough to come away with a bonus-point victory in front of their home supporters.
The two sides ahead of them in the league, Basingstoke and Sandown & Shanklin both picked up wins.
Next up for St Jacques is another home encounter, where they welcome Fordingbridge to Footes Lane on Saturday. This time on the club pitch, kick-off is 13:30.
Vikings: Bray, De Kock, Phelan, Creed, J Smith, Croft, Yarwood, M Smith, de Garis, Rice, K Creber, Quate, Le Roux, Clarke, Lomas (C). Replacements: Wallis, Brown, Paul
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