SOMERSET VIKINGS 46, NORTH DEVON RAIDERS 12
Saturday July 10th at North Petherton RFC, Somerset

In a curtain raiser to the international English Lionhearts vs. Welsh Dragons game, the Smedegaard sponsored Somerset Vikings Rugby League Team hosted North Devon Raiders, who are playing their first season in the South West conference. North Petherton Rugby Club was filled with supporters to cheer on both games and neither the local team nor the international team disappointed.

The Vikings fielded a strong team consisting of players who have been playing for many seasons alongside newer players who have joined this season and who are keen to show spectators how exciting the game of rugby league can be. The Raiders were the first to put a score on the board, scoring and subsequently converting a try. Missing Jack Claydon, who was playing for England, older brother Tom responded for the Vikings, scoring a try which was deftly converted by Dan Hinton. Further tries followed for the Vikings from newcomer Wez Pooley and regular player Chris Warner, scoring his first try for the Vikings. The first half finished with Vikings Luke Browne entering the sinbin for 10 minutes for a professional foul and a score of Vikings 16 Raiders 6.

North Petherton player Sam Tozer kicked off the second half score with Lee Johnston going over the line shortly after to extend the Vikings lead. Mark Lees, in his last game for the Vikings after several seasons, took over the kicking from Hinton, converting firstly Johnston's try then further tries from Nick Westaway and another from Claydon. The Raiders fought back with a converted try with Lees then going on to score a try himself, leaving his Vikings career having scored a total of 501 points, a record that other Vikings players will take some time to better. A disagreement mid second half saw a player from each team being sinbinned, with Vikings Chairman Paul Clark finishing the scoring off with a try to leave the final score at Vikings 46, Raiders 12.

Following the win, Vikings players remained to watch the English Lionhearts play the Welsh Dragons in a thrilling game that kept spectators on the edge of the seat till the very end whistle. Vikings Jack Claydon donned his country's colours once again, though a tackle in the second half unfortunately left him requiring medical attention. Final Score: England 34 Wales 30. More information can be found on www.pitchero.com/clubs/englandlionhearts.