The game at Dempsey was set to be a challenge from the time we arrived and it was obvious that SCC had much to overcome to take this result home. Arriving at 4pm to a wet and dull Dempsey, the pitch was muddy due to the recent rainfall and pitch usage… combine this with absent Hotspurs (who normally play here), the absent SCC Rugby guys who were playing and supporting the SCC Rugby 7’s @  the Padang and off course limited ground staff who were drafted in to help at the 7’s – Dempsey was a like a graveYARD! SCC were also limited on numbers this week with only 2 subs (recent games have seen up to 9 subs) and finally combine this without a sideline manager… It was evident that the players from SCC had to stand up and be counted…. I felt our biggest challenge to date ON and OFF the field!

They call the fixture in UK… a BANANA Skin… a slip up in the making… however with the players present in the squad nowadays,... the strong characters, the will to win at all costs, the passion to compete against all odds… SCC were not about  to let this happen! “If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too”

So Vikings Vs SCC… for sure a fixture eagerly anticipated by the other teams in the Cosmo  League , a fixture for which the Vikings can benchmark their season on and to show their progress ,  and also for SCC to gauge the desire and  determination  to bring this league home again!! Mr Kipling (Not Rudyard) makes exceedingly good cakes and from the first whistle this game was no piece of cake! SCC which  was depleted on the bench but very strong on the field saw some re-arrangements and players playing out of position with some non-regulars coming into to fill the void. Starr with a slight hamstring injury started in Goal with a back three of Wells, Goerojo and Yeo, midfield comprised of a flat 4, Pugh (right) Ando and Bates in center with Kianann out on the left… Upfront,.. Alonso, Hutch and Rogers. Captain Wells changed the formation in order to panic the Vikings by pressuring their back line and try to settle us with an early goal… unfortunately this didn’t happen and after 15mins SCC switched back to their familiar 3-5-2! Vikings started with passion, some nice slick football, strong in defense, energetic in midfield and very lively up front… a credit once again to the Cosmo league for their management and improvement this year, however  the  first half saw chances  at  both ends and great saves made by both keepers… too hard to call which chances were best but for sure the game was open and fully entertaining. Half time 0-0.

Second half was always going to be a game of fitness and the first goal, SCC for sure started stronger and we knew where the weaknesses were in the Vikings defense, the midfield three of Anderson, Bates and Kianann were exceptional second half and on the 15-20  minute  mark Hutch was found in the box with his back to goal, a sharp turn saw the Vikings commit a foul… Penalty! Hutch stepped up and made it 1-0. Vikings to their credit never gave up and they had some fine chances to equal the score but Starr was in  excellent form  to match anything they had. The second goal came from Hutcho 15 mins before time and this really sealed the win for SCC “And so hold on when there is nothing in you, Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

I must add again that the Vikings are a credit to the league,  a great game all round showing many great values - passion, skill and desire. Excellent support as always from the sideline which made it hard for us mentally!! “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with  VIKINGS---nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much:”

Some great individual performances from both teams and the return fixture is set to be even better.

MOM to Scott Anderson for his tireless running in midfield but   a mention to all  of  the team, Starr for the saves, Hutcho for the goals and everyone else for standing up and being counted… “With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son”

Great result guys and be proud of yourselves!!