State League Mixed Netball Champions
Vipers secured their second State League title last week with the club’s Mixed netball team adding another trophy to the cabinet to sit along side the VT League Men’s Trophy and the Club Championship shield already won during the Victorian Touch League in November.
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Vipers Mixed team secured the VMNL M-League title on Wednesday night after an impressive victory over South Morang. South Morang had beaten the Vipers on the last two occasions they had met, and after the Vipers won their preliminary final in overtime the previous week, it was always going to be a tough match to take the title. Vipers started badly, turning the first centre pass over to the South Morang Tukkinini’s and were 3 – 0 down in less the 2 minutes but strong defensive pressure from Heath Brown and strong drives from Tim Blackwood kept the Vipers in the game. Accurate finishing from Sophie O’Shae saw the Vipers up 10 – 7 heading into the first change of ends. The second quarter saw the game go goal for goal and with Dan Ryan gaining confidence from range Vipers pushed on for a 6 goal half time lead. Some changes to the opposition, saw the tempo change and the Vipers pushed out to a 10 goal lead at one stage. However, the Tukkinini’s through James Matthews (Vipers Men’s Player) were clawing their way back into the game. This lead to a few reckless errors just prior to 3 quarter time and the Vipers looked to be fading away. Sophie steadied the team with some crucial goals and the Vipers kept their 6 goal advantage with a flurry of goals in the last minute. The last quarter was tight, with the Tukkinini’s having nothing to lose and pushing hard for intercepts, the Vipers had to stay strong. Dan Ryan was cutting the circle with devestating speed, and finishing with precision. Wil Jamieson was dynamite in the last quarter, taking some unbelievable intercepts and making life hard for the opposition goalers. The Vipers got out to a 10 goal advantage, and despite fading out in the last 2 minutes, the title was finally won. The Vipers had won the minor premiership, losing just 1 game in the regular season, and now had the title with a 43 – 41 victory over South Morang. Caitlyn Strachan was named MVP of the final after running Centre for the whole game and was the key feeder for the Vipers shooters.
The Vipers Men’s team were a little less fortunate, losing in the preliminary final. Facing a tall, strong and intimidating Hoppers Crossing team in the final, the Vipers team ran out of puff, with most of the boys playing the mixed final (which went into overtime!) before the men’s game. With a 4 goal deficit in the last quarter, the Vipers needed a good start if they were going to play off in the big one. However, the opposite happened and the Vipers were 10 down with 5 minutes left. James Matthews was in great form and worked hard all game in the goal circle. Gerard Murphycalled time at the 5 minute mark, but it was too late. The Vipers went down by by 5 goals and after winning the minor premiership were very disappointed in not being able to play in the decider but overall it has been a great first season for the Vipers State League Netballers.
Photos are available from Vipers Photos section NOW.
The MVP vote count will be held on the weekend and will be hotly contested between many of the players.
Vipers would also like to congratulate Heath Brown, Dan Ryan, Matt Blomely, Clint Allwood, James Matthews and Wil Jamieson for their selection in the 2010 Victorian Men’s Netball team. The boys will play at Nationals in Melbourne over Easter 2010 looking to defend their National Title secured in QLD last year.
