Vikings in seventh heaven after pitch perfect season
ZOO Shield Division Three, here the Vikings come.
That’s the plan for Ray Smart’s all-conquering side after romping to the Sussex Two title at Footes Lane in front of a healthy tea-time crowd.
Barns Green had been sweeping all before them at this county reserves level, but like every other side in the division proved no match for Smart’s side, who won 43-7.
Vikings pressed from the first blow of Dave Mahoney’s first whistle and, 15 minutes in, were rewarded with a try from fly half Leon Collenette, who converted.
Two minutes later they doubled their lead.
Mitch Smith ran half the length of the pitch unchallenged to touch down under the posts and Collenette had an easy finish to make it 14-0.
Injuries to Barns Green saw the game move to uncontested scrums inside 25 minutes, but the only way Vikings were going to lose this one is if they were to get half their pack despatched.
The visitors were plucky but outgunned everywhere and, just before half time, the nippy winger Kieran Creber dived in for a third try in front of the HPP gym.
Collenette failed to add the extras but a 19-0 lead at the break represented a good half’s work, made better by a bad miss from the visitors in the corner with the final play of the half.
Barns Green nearly opened their account again early in the second half but were held up over the line and their disappointment at not taking that opportunity was compounded soon after as Smith broke through from close range to score a try converted by Collenette for a 26-0 lead.
Jim Regnard bulldozed over for the next try, which Collenette added to as the try scorer jogged off for a rest to be replaced by one-time Raider Luke Skovronek.
On 65 minutes Collenette showed his neat footwork and deception to an end through for his second which he failed to convert: 38-0.
Barns got a consolation try with time all but up and it was converted impeccably.
The last score came from replacement Phil Le Noury and although Collenette struck the outside of the post with the kick, the miss barely mattered.
