Improving Vikings head to the top of the pile
TOP of the table and the first team to inflict defeat on Shoreham this season – St Jacques Vikings are definitely heading in the right direction.
It was another deserved victory for the hosts at the KGV on Saturday afternoon in an often feisty encounter against a side who arrived with five straight wins to their name, but who were limited in their options when in possession compared to the Vikings.
The home side made metres both through their pack, with No. 8 Bjorn Van Der Kammen carrying particularly strongly, and along their backline where Jim Elliott showed he is still a handful, while full-back Connor Sullivan always posed a threat when returning clearance kicks with interest.
In contrast, Shoreham opted to use their big ball-carriers at first receiver to bash the ball up the middle, but they found the St Jacques defence to be stubborn.
However, Vikings still have plenty to work on, particularly in the set pieces with Shoreham enjoying the upper hand at scrum time while the line-out was inconsistent, as St Jacques coach Steve Melbourne alluded to in his post-match assessment.
‘It’s a good win, Shoreham were unbeaten in the league and to bring them here and beat them is nice,’ he said.
‘But I think we could have done more, I think we left two or three tries out on the pitch.'
More in Monday's Guernsey Press.
