Brighton Blues end Vikings’ winning run
ST JACQUES’ VIKINGS unbeaten run is finally over after they were defeated for the first time in over a year by the classy Brighton Blues ‘A’s’ in a welcome friendly at the KGV.
Whilst it ended in a 12-17 defeat, Vikings produced an outstanding performance and came up just five points short against a team who play two league levels above them.
The Blues ‘A’s’ compete in the Zoo Sports Shield Division Three, which is a competition for strong club second XV’s in the UK. Jersey Reds Athletic play in the same league structure, albeit they are in Division One.
Coming into the match Brighton were second in their league and it was clearly visible why as they were a very well drilled side with some skilful and strong players.
Ray Smart, the Vikings head coach, has advocated this season that his side will need to play stronger opposition at a higher level to continue their development, and if nothing else the Vikings performance proved they should be more than able to compete at this level.
Smart echoed these views again after the final whistle.
‘I am really proud of our guys today, we wanted to see if could compete at this level and after 20 minutes I was already convinced that we more than could. The result was not important today, however to take them that close was great and had there been a few more minutes on the clock we could well have won it.
‘I am confident playing against stronger teams will bring the best out of us, as it did today, and now we need to bring that intensity into our final two league matches before looking ahead to next season.’
Watched by a near 20- strong crowd, Vikings had little possession during the opening 10 minutes, but they defended resiliently and weathered the early Blues storm.
Brighton were the first to take the lead via an interception by the Blues winger after they kicked downfield.
Smart introduced the experienced Darrin Bellingham from the bench and the loose-head prop made an excellent impact with very strong carries helping to get the Vikings over the gain line.
They were now camped on the Blues line and made repeated attempts to break over and on two occasions did but both were adjudged to have been held up by referee Dave Mahoney. Eventually however pressure told and Bellingham drove over from short range to bring the scores level after Leon Collenette converted.
It was level at the break but Brighton pulled 10 clear with two unconverted tries before, in the dying minutes, replacement full-back Dave Davison went over.
