Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union: Hastings Valley Vikings defeat Southern Cross University Marlins in major semi-final on August 14

Hastings Valley Vikings overcame a dark statewide-lockdown cloud and a flamboyant Southern Cross University Marlins to progress to the 2021 Upper Mid North Coast rugby union grand final on Saturday.

Whether or not it proceeds remains to be seen.

Hamish McCormack and Lyndon Gale led the way as the Vikings cruised to a 52-27 victory which avenged a defeat to the Marlins seven days previous.

The Vikings scored three tries in the space of 20 minutes either side of halftime to jump out to a 31-10 lead just after the break after the Marlins had levelled the scores at 7-all early on.

After news filtered through that all of NSW would go into lockdown at 5pm for at least seven days, Vikings co-coach Adam McCormack admitted both sides approached the game as a grand final.

"You don't know what's going to unfold so the benefit for us is we won and now we'll see what unfolds. At least we're in the box seat," he said.

"It was a bit surreal after the game. We were standing around, there was barely anyone there and you can't celebrate a good victory ... it was really odd. It's the time's we're in at the minute."

Should the snap seven-day lockdown end on August 22 at 12.01am the Vikings would host the grand final at Oxley Oval on September 4.

"At least we know it's at Oxley Oval so that gives us an extra leg. We feel good when we're there and we love playing there," McCormack said.

"If the lockdown is extended, however, there are real doubts about whether they will play another game this season."

McCormack admitted making a grand final meant a lot to the club as they celebrate a club milestone.

"A few of us older guys have been really committed to this year knowing it's the club's 25th year and at least we got to a major semi-final," he said.

"We hope we can play in three weeks' minimum, but that gives its own challenges because there's no footy for us for three weeks and then we go into a grand final.

"We've got to stay fit and on our toes and deal with any COVID restrictions so they're all new challenges for us."

At times the match appeared to get heated, but McCormack said it was all part and parcel of playing a semi-final.

"Some of their younger fellas were trying to get under the hoods of our old boys which I don't know if it's the best way to go about it, but that's what rugby should be," he said.

"We all shook hands after the game."

On a successful day for the club, their under-16s progressed to the grand final with a 17-5 victory over Kempsey while their under-14s will get a second crack at progressing to the decider after a defeat.

"It meant a lot to us today. The 16s won and they deserve to get to play on Oxley Oval for a grand final and 14s have another crack to make it. It's not just important for first grade, it's important for all grades that the grand final is going to be at home."

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