BEING on the wrong end of the scoreboard isn’t something Hastings Valley Vikings are used to.
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In fact, you wouldn’t need to take your shoes and socks off to add up the amount of defeats their first grade side has had in the last three years.
It’s why Kempsey Cannonballs would no doubt be aware of the challenge they face at Oxley Oval on Saturday after the Vikings went down 36-25 last week.
The Cannonballs return to the scene of their 2016 grand final defeat on the back of a heartbreaking 15-14 loss to Grafton last week.
Vikings coach Mark Howard expects the Cannonballs to ask plenty of questions in the middle of the field.
“Last year they brought a good kicking game to the table and took us on in the forwards,” he said.
“This weekend is the grand final rematch so I’m sure there are a few of their players who have a bit of payback to give us.”
Howard was looking for how the Vikings responded to their first defeat of the season.
“A lot of our blokes are disappointed in their own performances,” he said.
“They’ll want to personally bounce back straight away because it will show them what they’re made of.
“It was a reminder to us all that teams won’t roll over for the Vikings – we’re going to have to work for our victories.”
The Vikings will go into the match without Adam McCormack in the halves which provides an opportunity for Lachlan Smith.
“Ads is out through his coaching role with NSW Combined High Schools so we’ll miss his direction at halfback,” Howard said.
“Lochie Smith has played fullback for us the last three weeks and he will slot into the nine and Greg Lawrence will play fullback.”
Instead of being concerned about the 36-25 loss at Coffs Harbour, Howard said it was a good outcome for Mid-North Coast rugby.
“I don’t think we’ve dropped our level, everyone else has lifted theirs,” he said.
“There has been a real jump in quality in country rugby over the last 12 to 18 months because everyone is testing themselves against us.”
Howard said the Vikings played “panic football” at stages last weekend.
“Some of them felt a bit of pressure so it’s how we bounce back from that,” he said.
First grade kicks off at 3pm on Saturday.