THE Hastings Valley Vikings gave a rugby union lesson to an under strength Southern Cross University Marlins outfit on Saturday.
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The Vikings won 81-7 at Oxley Oval in a match where a cross wind played havoc.
The host team had 11 try scorers on the sheet. Adam McCormack and Lyndon Gale scored doubles while David Tunstead, Tom Woods, Hamish McCormack, Glen Littler, Andrew West, Dan Willoughby, James Terret, Lee Riske and Greg Lawrence also found the line.
Gale booted eight goals from 13 attempts in the stiff breeze, giving him 26 points for the match.
The Marlins only found the line in the dying minutes. Vikings club captain Brett Horan got his first try assist of the season, but it was an intercept pass which allowed for points to the opposition.
Vikings coach Andrew Kable was thrilled with his team's performance, but wasn't getting to carried away with the victory.
"Southern Cross were very under strength," he said.
"I think they had seven players backing up, and in fairness to them, they did a good job."
Such was the dominance of the display, the Vikings found it difficult to stick to their structure at times.
The south westerly breeze certainly didn't help.
"It was almost directly across the ground," Kable said. "But we certainly allowed for it in our preparation. The boys kept the ball in hand, rather than kicking it too much."
Gale was the standout, according to Kable.
"Lyndon Gale had a blinder," he said.
"He kicked eight goals in that howling wind. Quite a few of them were from the sideline."
Dominic Loy made his debut in the top grade near the end of the match.
He only had one touch of the ball.
"Unfortunately, he dropped it and was smashed over the sideline," Kable said.
"It was a case of welcome to first grade."
That wouldn't wipe the smile off Loy's face, Kable said, or dampen his enthusiasm for the game.
"He turns up to every training session and puts in," he said.