Canberra Vikings triumph over Tornadoes
Navy Canberra Vikings triumph over Tornadoes
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Brumbies Media Unit
The Navy Canberra Vikings secured their first home win of the Mazda Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) with an emphatic 53-8 triumph over the Ballymore Tornadoes at Manuka Oval today.
The Navy Canberra Vikings converted a 19-3 half time lead into an eight-tries-to-one victory with winger Eddie McLaughlin crossing for three tries while fullback Tim Wright scored two.
The home side were well served by flyhalf and man of the match Christian Lealiifano, who kick-started the Navy Canberra Vikings’ scoring with a chip and regather to set up No.8 Jone Tawake for the side’s first try after 15 minutes. The 19-year-old pivot crossed for one of his own when he intercepted a wayward Tornadoes pass and raced 50 metres to score his second try in as many weeks midway through the second half.
Wright crossed for his two touchdowns in succession, his first when he sliced through from 35 metres out before adding his second 10 minutes later when he crashed passed two Tornadoes defenders to give his side a 16-point lead at the break. Tornadoes fullback Clinton Schifcofske registered the lone first half points for his side with a 32nd minute penalty goal.
The Tornadoes begun the second half with gusto, threatening the Navy Canberra Vikings line but unable to breach the tight defensive unit. The visitors looked set to cross for their first try when captain Tom McVerry swooped on a Navy Canberra Vikings pass, only to be ruled offside by referee Julian Pritchard. Matt Carraro, who kicked 13 points for his side, completed the Tornadoes’ torment by adding the resulting penalty goal from in front of the posts.
When winger Francis Fainifo scored from a well worked scrum move with 20 minutes remaining, it sparked a horror period for the visitors, who leaked 24 points in 10 minutes, including Lealiifano’s intercept and two tries to McLaughlin.
The Tornadoes rallied, netting a consolation try to scrumhalf Will Genia with seven minutes remaining, before McLaughlin turned on the afterburners to race 80 metres, cross for his third and complete the 45-point victory.
The Navy Canberra Vikings take on the East Coast Aces at Gold Coast Stadium on Sunday, 2 September.
MATCH DETAILS
Navy Canberra Vikings 53 (Eddie McLaughlin 3; Tim Wright 2; Jone Tawake, Francis Fainifo, Christian Lealiifano tries; Matt Carraro 5 conversions, penalty goal) defeated Ballymore Tornadoes 8 (Will Genia try; Clinton Schifcofske penalty goal) at Manuka Oval.
Referee: Julian Pritchard
Half time: Navy Canberra Vikings 19-3
Man of the Match: Christian Lealiifano
Crowd: 3,682
Navy Canberra Vikings
1. John Ulugia 2. Anthony Hegarty 3. Nic Henderson 4. Alister Campbell ©
5. Dan Guinness 6. Jack Vanderglas 7. Julian Salvi 8. Jone Tawake
9. Nick Haydon 10. Christian Lealiifano 11. Francis Fainifo 12. Anthony Faingaa
13. Matt Carraro 14. Eddie McLaughlin 15. Tim Wright
Replacements
8. Jone Tawake replaced by 19. Peter Kimlin (49th minute)
5. Dan Guinness replaced by 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison (54th minute)
11. Francis Fainifo replaced by 20. Rowan Kellam (60th minute)
3. Nic Henderson replaced by 17. Dan Raymond (62nd minute)
7. Julian Salvi replaced by 16. Jack Kennedy (62nd minute)
15. Tim Wright replaced by 22. Ben Johnston (68th minute)
10. Christian Lealiifano replaced by 21. Solomona Fainifo (70th minute)
Yellow cards:
Julian Salvi (35th minute)
Anthony Faingaa (63rd minute)
