The winter seasons of touch are reaching their conclusions at the various park comp’s around Melbourne and with Vipers featuring at both Albert Park and Fawkner Park in season 2010 it should be another successful year.
Fawkner Park
After a torrid season of touch in which Vipers fielded a Men’s A and B for the first time in the club’s short history, it proved to be a success. The Men’s A team has continued from the Summer season and marched through the rounds and semi into a Grand Final against the much improved Take a Dump who beat the high flying Monash team in a close semi to make their way into the GF. The Men’s A team have played some fast flowing touch throughout season 2010 and with regular VT players heavily present in the side mixed with the enthusiasm of Greg Somers, Tristan Drummond and Zac Pain the side has remained undefeated thus far with the main game on Tuesday night at 7.50pm.
The Men’s B teamwhich was throw together at the start of the season displayed the skills which will set them up for future seasons as they begin to gel into a working unit. The team had a mix of skills and touch experiences which will take time to develop. The lads made a their way into the Men’s B tri series against Tornado’s in their first season in which the teams would play a best of 3 series to decide the winner. The lack of playing numbers has hampered the team all year and the finals were no exception with on 7 players available for the business end of the season. This did not deter the boys as they went about their business in the first game to narrowly go down 7 -3. Game 2 was a complete turn around for the team with some excellent hole hitting from Austion Chow and Steve Sloanefrom the drifting passes of Tim Shipstone and Simon Craigwho at times played with the defence to set up some great TD’s. All this was established on the back of Jimmy and Rich’sgreat dumping allowing quick roll balls to catch the opposition offside. The game was a real arm wrestle as the teams traded TD’s to eventually remain 6 all at full time. The match then proceeded into a drop off and for many of the Vipers players the first experience of such, although they did not get to experience it for long as the match was over in the first 2 sets of six as a very tough decision from the officials plus about 4 players wearing blue shirts to help the argument decided the fate of the Vipers B’s. Although Vipers lost the series, they gained experience, new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the season.
Albert Park
Albert Park has seen 5 Vipers mixed teams in season 2010 with 4 of the 5 playing in the A grade divisions on various nights. A great testament to the development of the club’s social players and the improved skills they have achieved.
Wed night
Tues night Mixed A grade will see the Vipers All Stars vs the Vipers Young Guns in semi final showdown this week as both teams look to head into the GF. The All Stars team has played some free flowing touch throughout the season and at some stages looked unorganised and to be pushing the plays. While the Young Guns are full of enthusiasm and are the future of the club and the sport in the State. The teams play similar styles of touch and understand the importance of field position but it is their differences in attack and discipline in defence which could decide this one. The roving reporter tips a tight struggle and is to close to call, all we know is a Vipers team will make the GF at the end of it.
Thurs night
Vipers again field two teams in the A grade division with the Bitmeark Vipers and Vipers slugging it out throughout the season. Bitemark have been a long lasting team for the club and have once again made their 4 straight finals series to fly the flag in this years finals. Bitemark will play their semi against the undefeated TC Tigers for a spot in the GF and if the team are on song can cause a major upset. Tip Bitemark by 2.
The Vipers team struggled for female players for much of the season but eventually gained some experienced players in Nicole Doig and Brooke James to compliment Vi Tsui, Trang Truong and Em Cross.As the season drew on the team played some very good touch and with the backbone of their play their rucking it was easy to see why so many opportunities presented themselves each time they arrived on their oppositions line. Although this was not enough as the team finished just out of the top 4 in 4th and has missed a spot in the finals. The team Will be back during the summer season to avenge the season result as they look to recapture the form which has seen them win two titles in the past.
Vipers Mixed C grade team returned in season 2010 with some enthusiasm for the game whoever they may not have been perpared for the cold winter nights which greeted them each week. The team was lead by Greg White and Brendan Jelleywho returned from last years team, with newcomers Ian and Lorie Trenuela as well as Lyndon Robertson bolstering the teams stocks in 2010. Team regulars Todd, Lauren and Bridget played some great touch and helped the team to some close wins and with late team inclusions Jason and Jo Gale at the end of the season the summer season for this teams look promising.
Good Luck to all teams as they contest this years finals.
