Somehow, in a game which will be remembered in the folklore of Illawarra rugby, Vikings had scored two tries in almost as many minutes. 

Time was slipping away, as their second grade clubmates, already qualified for the grand final, rose to their feet in the crowd. 

Vikings’ third grade had produced their own nailbiting win hours previously, ensuring the club would have every team involved at WIN Stadium on Saturday. 

Suddenly, Vikings Rugby Ground, on the southern tip of the Wollongong central area, became a heaving throng. 

As University, their premiership defence on the line, kicked off, the entire crowd lifted Vikings for one last push. 

And so they delivered. 

Knowing there was two minutes in hand, Vikings rolled forward through the middle, aided by a couple of penalties, and camped in the attacking 22-metres, hoping, wishing, waiting. 

“The noise was quite amazing,” coach Sean Barrett said. “You could just feel everyone lift after we scored the first try at the end there.

“The players couldn’t hear the calls after that, they just kept pushing and pushing. 

“They just found a way.”

Vikings won 32-29, when the situation was seemingly hopeless when they trailed by nine with less than eight minutes to play. 

They’d led 13-5, then by three at half-time.

They’d cleared out by when flyhalf Jason Reid in the No.10 jersey with Beau Midgley out injured, scored to make it 20-10. 

But then two tries turned the preliminary final on its head and Uni were in front. 

Captain and flanker Paul Tuala then put the grand final within reach for Uni, making it 29-20 with time slipping away. 

But Vikings would not be denied, as a relieved Barrett began to think ahead on how to bring down the unbeaten Avondale juggernaut. 

“I brought them all together afterwards, just to make sure they all know we’ve still got a job to do,” he said. 

“We can enjoy it on Saturday night, but there’s still a week to go.”

Barrett praised the Vikings commitment, with all three grades chasing premiership success.

“I’m really proud of what the club has been able to do,” he said. “We’ve building for the last couple of years and it goes to show what happens when everyone buys into what we’re trying to do.

“The third grade and second grade boys have gotten here by winning games late as well, so there’s a fair bit of character at the club.

“It will be a big day.”

Vikings confront Avondale in the big one, trying to stop the Wombats from completing the perfect season with 20 consecutive victories.