Don't be surprised if Hastings Valley Vikings and Port Macquarie Pirates meet again when there's a lot more than competition points on the line.
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That's the opinion of Vikings co-coach Adam McCormack after his side avenged their round one defeat to Pirates on Saturday at Oxley Oval with a comfortable 24-5 victory.
The Vikings led all the way, but McCormack was suitably impressed again with what their cross-town rivals dished up.
"They're going to win more games than they lose," he said.
"It's one each now and we've got one more before the finals so I think we're going to play some big games against them which is only good for local town.
"They still worry me and although we've had some good wins recently I think it's going to be a close competition when it comes to the pointy end of the season."
David Tunstead crossed for two tries while winger Sebastian Pankiewicz and evergreen forward Lyndon Gale also claimed five-pointers.
Gale is in a rich vein of form after returning to the first grade team following many years in reserve grade.
"He's come back this year, is so keen and has been close to our best in every game," McCormack said.
"It was no different today; when everyone else was looking for a breather he kept putting his hand up for a run."
A number of the Vikings next generation of players stood up and made their debuts in the local derby which McCormack says will only be a positive for the club.
"We still haven't had our best team on the field yet which is a great sign, but we had a couple of young guys have their first run in first grade," he said.
"It will put us in good stead later in the year when it really matters. They'll be confident because it's hard to debut in first grade against Pirates."
Hastings Valley will now have a couple of weeks off due to a first grade bye next weekend and then the Queens Birthday long weekend.
And it couldn't have come at a better time.
"We've got a couple of boys that need that rest and then we will get straight back into round two and do it all again," McCormack said.
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