Vipers season a success despite losing Final

Vipers season a success despite losing final​

At the conclusion of Season 10, it is safe to say that the Vipers season has been a success. While the Vipers narrowly missed their main goal this season, they were still runners up in the Bannerman Shield and this is a good effort after backing up from a premiership from Season 9.

After a reasonably consistent season, the Vipers went into the Bannerman Shield final with a lot of confidence after beating the Gamblers quite convincingly the week before. But apart from one conceited <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=194>GR Smith</a>, the Vipers side were focussed on this game and were determined not to be distracted about the possible history they would be creating had they taken out the title.

The first innings really did the Vipers no favours with an abysmal 329 runs with <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=421>J Torres</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=338>SLO Graham</a> being the top run-scorers with 82 and 72 respectively. This was thanks to brilliant bowling from <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=39>AD Funkotron</a> who took 6/110. However, this was undone when the bowlers came to save the Vipers in the match where they managed to bowl the Ravens out for 324, five less than the Vipers total. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=365>DA Eggman</a> was the star here with 4 wickets and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=862>JM Hughes</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=176>CJ Devonshire</a> both chimed in with two wickets each.

Once again the Vipers shot themselves in the foot in the second innings scoring a measly 280 runs with <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=362>JE McGrath</a> (50 runs 67 balls) and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=421>J Torres</a> (55 runs 111 balls) the top run scorers. With this came a great concern and it was expected the Ravens would come home strongly. This was wrong on so many levels; the Ravens only won by 1 wicket in the end due to <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=365>DA Eggman</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=176>CJ Devonshire</a> both taking 3 wickets apiece.

This game rounded off the Vipers Bannerman Shield season and it was a rather impressive season. The Vipers Head of Recruitment <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=365>DA Eggman</a> agreed.

“I thought we had a great season and it was alot better than what some people had predicted. With the likes of Hughes [Vipers allrounder <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=862>JM Hughes</a>] and Smith [Vipers fast bowler <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=194>GR Smith</a>] really stepping up, they gave us a real lift in places we didn’t really expect” Eggman said.

Media Manager and Vipers Rookie <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=862>JM Hughes</a> added to that with a strong comment on the team’s overall performance in the final.

“We were disappointing in the final of the Bannerman Shield. I was disappointed with my performance and I think most of us were. But the Ravens are a good side and they deserve all the accolades they receive”

As well as adding that the final game should not be an indication of the Vipers as a whole because it is only one game from a whole season.

“Sure we were disappointing in the final game of the season but what about the rest of the season? We were one of the most consistent sides of the competition and we were in every game every week and were never really smashed” Hughes said.

While the Bannerman Shield may have ended on a negative note, the final of the Avo-Lovers Cup was far from it where the Cobras took on the competition with an identical margin to the Bannerman Shield Final winning by one wicket.

It was not all system’s go from the start though with the Test Eagles putting up a very strong total of 514 runs with <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=928>SSD Dong</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=161>JA Robertson</a> the top two run scorers both scoring centuries. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=395>S Das</a> was the pick of the Cobras bowlers taking first-rate figures of 4/65.

Things didn’t look to get any brighter when the Cobras were bowled out for 220 runs. With <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=166>SJ Nova</a> easily the top scorer for the Cobras with 71 runs off 110 balls. This was attributable to fine bowling from <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=420>JR Denton</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=65>P Orr</a> taking 5 and 4 wickets respectively. After this innings, the Cobras were at long odds to make a comeback. The Test Eagles chose not to avoid the follow-on and the Test Eagles went in to bat.

Embarrassingly, the Test Eagles had arguably their worst innings of the season scoring a pathetically low 129 runs. This is thanks to <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=145>BA Storer</a> who finally hit his straps after being dropped from First Class cricket earlier in the season with firm figures of 4/35. After this, the Cobras required 423 runs to win the final.

And boy did they do so. Thanks to a fantastic innings from <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=167>DN Boland</a> with 146 runs. The Cobras were able to chase the total down with 1 wicket to spare. <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=367>MW Scoble</a> (72 runs, 134 balls) and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=145>BA Storer</a> (57 runs, 104 runs) also get an honourable mention as a result of their efforts in helping the Cobras win the final.

When quizzed about the Avo-Lovers Cup win, Eggman had nothing but praise for the side.

“The Cobras blew my mind with how they played and then winning the ALC was just awesome. I’m really hoping one of our young guns can continue developing and come into the Vipers First Class side next season”

Cobras batsman and wicket keeper, <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=167>DN Boland</a> had a more broad approach to the Cobras and chose to focus on the whole season in general and not just look at the final game of season.

“The boys have performed consistently all season and winning the competition was just the icing on the cake. It has been a great season and one in which I have thoroughly enjoyed and will remember for a long time to come”

“<a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=194>GR Smith</a> showed he could deliver when it counted and as a result was swiftly selected for the Vipers after dominating the ALC along with some other notable performers like <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=395>S Das</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=904>R Dawson</a> batted strongly and season and really helped to support the team” Boland said.

When asked to make a quick comment on the Cobras performance <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=862>JM Hughes</a> jumped on the opportunity and was quick to congratulate the team.

“They’ve been great all season and it proves that consistency is the key to winning a competition no matter what level or what sport it may be. It doesn’t seem that long ago since I was playing in the ALC and I think once again this season proved that this competition is a very good competition at developing juniors from potential stars to stars”

“<a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=904>R Dawson</a> and <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=915>MS Winney</a> will be the next crop of Vipers juniors to crack the side and they have played admirably throughout the season. Proving that the ALC isn’t just for juniors, <a href=http://cricsim.com/site/players.php?id=395>S Das</a> has also benefited from a season in the ALC. He has set the competition on fire and has been real good this season. He is definitely one of the reasons why the Cobras have been so successful this season, it’s a shame he won’t be hanging around come Season 11 and complete his revival” Hughes said.

Season 11 will be upon us soon and the Vipers will commence pre-season training within the next week after their end of season trip once the North vs South series has concluded. Season 11 marks a number of changes for the Vipers, a number of very good players will be joining the club next season as well as a change at the top with Tom Delonge coming in as the new President. And Hughes wanted to thank Ryan Gee for his services as the Vipers President on behalf of all of his team mates.

“All the boys really want to thank outgoing President Ryan Gee. He has done a lot for the club since being re-admitted into the competition. It will definitely be strange having him around as just a player but we know he will support Tom [Delonge, New Vipers President] from the start of his reign come Season 11” Hughes concluded.

The Vipers hope to continue to build a dynasty in Season 11. It should be an exciting time ahead for all involved. From all at Vipers Media, see you all next season!

 

Thanks Azzal... even though I know you didn't read it.

 

Ignore the headline, read the content

But yeah true, I guess a club as a whole though it was a successful season being in three grand finals.

 

wtf is this?!

 

Your two threads in the lead-up to the final.

 

That was confidence and not conceitedness

 

Yeah but that's just one example, in general you do love yourself

 

There's much to love