Wakeham and Stewart shine in Vikings win

The Vikings had a large squad with a good mix of young players and old heads throughout, which contributed to a solid performance and a 17-7 win.

The Vikings took the game to Goole from the off with scrum-half Jordan Wakeham using his big pack runners well to make the hard yards against their opposite numbers.

The evergreen Russ Wilkie led the charge with great support from his second-row partner Will Leah and back-rower Jake Young.

The opening exchanges were dominated by the Vikings and it was no surprise when they took an early lead after an infringement at the breakdown by the Goole backrow.

Al Rowley struck a great kick from the resulting penalty for a 3-0 advantage after 10 minutes.

The Vikings were winning the battle up front and were providing quick ball for their backs to make inroads into the Goole midfield.

The opening try of the game came from an attacking scrum for the Vikings on the halfway line.

The front five provided a solid platform and rugby league convert Tom Read, making his home debut and playing at number eight, picked up from the base of the scrum and attacked the blind side.

Read drew his man and fed scrum-half Wakeham, who turned on the gas and outstripped the defence.

Wakeham then put Vikings captain Simon Dixon in at the corner for an easy finish.

The first half finished with the Vikings leading 8-0.

The second half commenced with the Vikings again taking the game to Goole with returning fly-half Phil Stewart (pictured) using his back line to good effect to stretch the visitors defence.

Despite this pressure, Goole managed to steal the next score.

Wilkie fumbled an easy catch in the Vikings half and from the resulting scrum the visitors attacked deep into Scarborough territory.

From an attacking line-out Goole drove the ball up and recycled to their backs.

Despite a great defensive effort, the visitors managed to get over the line for their only try of the game, which was then converted.

With 30 minutes to go the Vikings utilised their large squad and brought on their veterans to steady the game.

Veteran Vikings and ex-first-teamers Guy Woodward, Tom Fish, Paul Taylor and Rob Dean came on and added extra experience to the young Vikings pack.

The Vikings rallied themselves and controlled the rest of the half and added penalties from Rowley and Wakeham to win the game 17-7.

This was a dominant display by Dixon’s men, which flattered Goole as they should have won by a much bigger margin.

For the forwards, Wilkie and Read led from the front, carried well and were a constant menace.

For the backs, fly-half Stewart impressed on his return from a five-month injury lay off and Wakeham was a constant attacking threat.

VIKINGS: J.Day, I.Williams, A.Zavatti, R.Wilkie, W.Leah, R.Day, J.Young, T,Read, J.Wakeham, P.Stewart, A.Rowley, C.Mabbot, J.Elmsley, B.Smith, S.Dixon(c). Subs: P.Taylor, T.Fish, R.Dean, G.Woodward, R.Fowler, T.Burton