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Port Macquarie's Family Rugby Club
 

 
 
Geoff Isaacs Flying High for the Vikings!
 
 
Great Support From the Hastings!
 
 
 Vikings Gil Hopley
Watches over the
Vikings Scrum
 
 
 
 

Vikings Thank the Hastings!

It is often said after a hard fought win or a narrow loss that rugby was the winner on the day, but this time the Vikings believe that Tyler-Rose Brown and the Hastings community were the real winners at this year’s Stuart Lawrence Memorial Shield.  Although narrowly defeated 24-22 to Lismore City and forfeiting the shield for the first time in two years the Vikings were excited at the level of support the wider Hastings community gave to the game, Tyler-Rose and her family. This year the Settlers Inn Hastings valley Vikings donated much needed funds raised on the day to the Tyler-Rose Brown benefit to help Tyler- Rose and her family with the much needed funds to help support them during Tyler’s treatment and recovery in the USA and the Vikings along with blessing of Stuart Lawrence’s family were able to raise over $500 on the day. “It was such a great day! It was so great to see so many familiar faces come along and support the Vikings, but it was even more rewarding to see so many new faces come along not to just us the Vikings but to get behind and support Tyler and her family, I even had my son Scott empty his piggy bank and a client donate to help support Tyler” President Chris Trutwien added. So much so was the Vikings and their President Chris Trutwien impressed by the support that they received, that they have decided they will now transfer their first home game on the 12th of April against Coffs harbour to Lake Cathie in an effort to help continue building support for Rugby and the Vikings in the Hastings.

The Jigsaw Personal Pre-season Vikings led by Stuart’s brother Greg started strongly through clever play enabling them to quickly dominate field position for most of the first period. Not to be outdone Lismore showed their preseason has been fruitful through organised play often leading to valuable points on the board.

The second period saw a tussle developing between both teams looking to gain the upper advantage before the half time break. Some smart thinking and individual brilliance from the Vikings backline enabled them to secure a half time lead of 14-5.

The third period saw Lismore become more dominate in the ruck area capitalising on organised play to score next to the posts and bring them back to within two points of the Vikings. Lismore continued t dominate the third stanza and kept the Vikings at bay, but the Vikings again capitalised on field position and quick thinking from replacement player Adam McCormack strike a brilliant field goal to extend their lead to 17-12 at the end of the third period.

The fourth period saw both teams lift to a new level and with the game on the line both teams did not leave anything to chance. Lismore hit back quickly and scored out wide to take the score to 17-all after an unsuccessful conversion. The Vikings showed true grit and responded in kind with a clever kick from Mitch Robinson allowing them to score out wide to take the lead again 22-17. But this year was to be Lismore’s after their hard running fly half crashed over and after a successful conversion Lismore took the game 24-22 and the Stuart Lawrence memorial shield for the first time in three years.

Although defeated Club Coach Al Tonkin was impressed by the Vikings resilience and determination. “We showed we can grind things out if we need to we don’t need to try and score of every play” Tonkin said. Tonkin was also buoyed by the number of players who showed up for the game and after a low key preseason the Vikings are please to see things finally beginning to build for the Vikings first game on the 12th of April against Coffs Harbour. “There were some excellent individual performances, but most impressive were Mitch Robinson, Gil Hopley, Simon Dunn and Jeremy McKinnon who’s line running and balls skills were devastating throughout the game” Tonkin added. “It is now imperative that we come together as a team and play a more structured style of rugby if we are to capitalise on what we have learned in the pre-season” Tonkin went on to say. All Vikings players are reminded that it is less than two weeks until the Vikings first game of the season and are reminded training is now being held at Stuart Park Sporting Fields 2 and 3 directly behind the Port Macquarie Indoor Sports Stadium every Tuesday and Thursday from 6pm.
 

Coach's Corner with Club Coach Al Tonkin
 
Training has commenced
 
Many of you are already aware  we have organised a number of pre-season trials it is now time for us to step up our training schedule to get you fit for the season. Starting 19 February training will change to Tuesdays and Thursdays from
6:00 – 7:30 at Oxley Oval
 

Trials

 

Our season is upon us so please take note of the following trial dates and times so that you can inform the coaching team of your availability.

 

29 March – Stuey Lawrence Memorial – home.  Seniors and 19’s.

 
12 April – MNC Competition starts
 
 
My goal in 2008 is to get as many people along as possible. We have already seen a number of new recruits join the club this year  with Gil Hopley, Taihwai Carter and Paul hardy just to name a few. There has been  some real positives signs have come from the sevens and our trial games, but much more needs to be done. So make sure you grab a mate and bring them along and help the Vikings continue to be a dominate force in the Mid North Coast Competition.
 

 
First XV Team Manager Chris Dolden in action in 2007
 
 
 
 
 
Season Upon Us!!! 
 
The Hastings Valley Vikings will this year start the 2008 season one week early. The Vikings will play their first game on the 12th of April. A scheduling conflict with the current draw will now see the Vikingshome to Coffs Harbour. Stay tuned for more information to come.
 
 

Vikings on Facebook!
 
The Hastings Valley Vikings have been seen gracing the pages of  World Wide Web Phenomenon Facebook! Currentley 31 member belong the Vikings group with more joining everyday, We even hav word our President Chris Trutwein has also joined the Facebook world. Many Vikings have been seen gracing these pages from current Viking Simon Dunn to former Viking David Tunstead so get online and network.
The Vikings Facebook has been created by former Viking Todd Parkinson and is great to see the Vikings Spirit clearly alive and well. Follow the link below and join the Vikings facebook.
 
 
 Pictured: Former Viking Pivot Todd Parkinson

Welcome to our new First XV Sponsor
 
 
 
Vikings Goals In 2008
Be Positive
 
Paul (Coach Boon) Dollisson recentley spoke to players on being positive not just within themselves but towards other players. "We need to be commited to the 2008 season but above that we must be positive towards each other if we are going to archieve our goals in 2008" Dollisson said.
One Club
 
The Vikings this year have set themselves the goal of becoming more focused on bringing the Players, Supporters and Sponsors together as a family and unite as One Club
Bring a Mate!
 
Club Coach Al Tonkin wants each player to bring along a mate to help the Vikings to grow and develop as a community and as one of the premier clubs on the Mid North Coast. "I believe if everyone can bring along a mate or a friend we can only get stronger and become a more family orientated club and community " Coach Tonkin added.
 

Upcoming Events

 

29 March – Stuey Lawrence Memorial – home.  Seniors and 19’s. - Lake Cathie Sports Ground from 1:45pm

 
12 April – Vikings Start thier MNC Season 
 
 
 Watch this space for more information!!! 
   
 Get Behind The Vikings Sponsors In 2008