The Albert Park Men’s A team have claimed there fourth consecutive title on Tuesday night at Albert Park. The team having moved to AP over winter due to ground renovations at the scene of their past three titles at Fawkner Park where to strong to a fast running Tigers team.
The team didn’t even look like they would get through their semi final game having on six available players against a full strenghted Tornado’s outfit, but the team got through on the back of controlling the game and pace to suit their numbers to play the Grand Final reply from last season against Tigers.
Vipers carried injured players into the Grand Final with JK and Dessie both requiring pain killing injections and Soly just a quite peep talk before the game to give him some confidence in the wake of the semi final.
The game was a fast flowing match but signs did not look go for Tigers with the ever young “Youngy” scooting through on the very first set of six to find Dessie diving into the corner for the opening TD within 30seconds. However Tigers hit straight back with two quick TD’s over their own and it was game on!
The half time siren could not come quick enough for Vipers as they needed to regroup and get back to a more structured game plan. The injury to their main attacker JK left him relegated to the wing and only small bursts of flair as the cool heads of Vipers senior players began to take control. Dessie and Burky as well as Simon and Johnny began to ruck the ball forward at pace which opened up the holes out wide for newcomers to the team Mark Bowker and Horse to make further metres to exploit the Tigers defence. The rucking was the key as Vipers began to put in TD after TD and had pushed a 3-3 half time score out to 8 -5 with less the ten minutes left on the clock. Tigers never gave in and scored to late TD’s to bridge the gap but Vipers continued to drive and defend their line and claim the match 8 – 5.
This was one of pure team effort which provide a solid 4 title for the team who in 4 seasons has only 1 loss to their name.
Vipers would like to thank those supporters who came down to watch the team on Tuesday night in Rose and Horse’s daughter.
