Recap

Match Report by: Neil O’Brien.

The second game of the night saw the runaway leaders the Verdun Vikings, take on the Goose village BlackRocks. The Rocks had one of their strongest teams out this summer while the Vikings were without a couple of key players. The Rocks got off to the better start and early scores from Alan Baxter, veteran Stevie Owens and Liam Twomey saw them race into a three-point lead. The Vikings responded with a score from the human missile Simon Chamberland before MVP for the Rocks Robin Gauthier – Lafreniere got the first of his two goals to open up a 5-point lead. His brother Etienne has been equally impressive this season and the two siblings have been a great find for the Rocks. The ever-reliable Ronan Corbett kicked a couple of nice points to get the Vikings back in it but once again the Rocks responded with a point from the aforementioned Etienne before new man Harry Mc Keever kicked the first point of his Rocks career to reinforce the Rocks’ advantage. The game was being played at a frantic pace and it was end to end stuff. The newer players in particular were excelling in the difficult conditions. Jacob Meza has become an absolute stalwart in the Vikings defense using his speed and power to his advantage while all the time developing his technical skills. And for the Rocks, Emanuel Wilson has taken to the game like a duck to water. Another outstanding performance from him. Tom Dayon Bagged a great goal for the Vikings but as the game would have it, the Rocks replied with a goal from the big full forward Mc Keever to leave the Rocks leading by 5 at the break.
The Vikings aren’t top of the table for no reason and they came out all guns blazing with a couple of early points from Corbett and Paddy Bourke. The Rocks though always managed to keep them at an arm’s length and a point each from the brothers of destruction Robin and Etienne reestablished the lead. However, the Vikings again came back fighting and a goal from the impressive Cook Hinau narrowed the deficit to a one score game. But while the Rocks newcomers were magnificent it was the old heads Owens and Alan Baxter in the middle of the field who steadied the ship with Baxter kicking two points and Owens adding another to once again reassert their lead. With the Vikings missing a few players they began to run out of legs and Robin added his second goal to sink the final nail in the coffin. Clement added a consolation goal for the Vikings but the damage was done and The Rocks ran out deserved winners. Most impressive for the Vikings on the night was ‘Tight Hand’ Tony Purdie. Another man who has taken giant strides as a player this season. The Vikings are all but assured of their place on Finals day but the battle for second is really heating up with the Rocks on 3 wins and the Blues and the Gaels both on two. Next Friday sees another double header and it could have a huge bearing on the final standings.
Final score: Rocks 3-13 Vikings 3-6