Vikings are on the road again

Pembrokeshire Vikings 22 - Newport Dragons All Stars 20

Pembrokeshire Vikings are again on the road to a successful season after travelling back down the M4 from Cardiff after playing in the Principality against Newport Dragons All Stars and enjoying their journey after a terrific performance against a very experienced opposition and coming away with a 22-20 victory in an epic tussle.

It was all the more praiseworthy because the Dragons took control for much of the first half  and ended up with tries from Jordan Pound, Simon Hopkins and Chris Haddock, alongside a conversion and penalty from Dylan Gimber but The Vikings battled really hard to stay with them and actually took the lead by 22-15 with the referee looking at his watch.

But then The Dragons ploughed through for a try and so needed the conversion to gain a draw but as The Vikings’ players, coaches and hardy band of supporters held their breath the kick went wide, and Simon Gardiner’s side were winners!

Alex Frearson was adjudged man of the match for The Vikings in recognition of his all-action play and the try scorers were old timers Graham Jenkins and Gethin Bateman alongside Simon Radford and Welsh Deaf international, Ryan Foot - and the single conversion from vice-skipper Matt Heeps ultimately proved to be the eventual difference between two well-matched teams.

This success moves the Pembrokeshire Vikings into the next stage of the competition they won last season, and they are already back in training in readiness for the next challenge they will face!

Pembrokeshire Vikings Squad:

Bleddyn Gibbs (Capt); Callum Power (Vice Capt); Matt Heeps; John Joe; Andrew Meddings; Andrew Morrillo; Tom Brown; Jack Colley; Sean McKenzie; Josh Price; Youssef el Tawab; Ryan Foot; Ryan Thomas; Sean Phillips; Koran Owens; Rob Sweeney; Alex Frearson (Vice Captain); Matt Davies; Dave Richards; Gethin Bateman; Joe Lewis; Graeme Elliott; Stephen Morse; Gareth Rees; Simon Radford; Karl Bate; Paul Clayton; Dave Roberts; Graham Jenkins; Simon Gardiner, Kyran Owens.

Photographs: Mira Angielczyk