Dragons are Pride Cup Champions for the second year in a row! Dragons took the series 2-1 after a penalty shootout victory in Powerchair Hockey. The Dragons went in as hot favourites after an impressive campaign in the Victorian Powerchair Sports League (VPSL) 2018/19 season, claiming both the Powerchair Hockey and Powerchair Football premierships.
In three heated matches, Dragons came back from a shock Game 1 defeat in Powerchair Football, to take Rugby League and Powerchair Hockey in nail-biting fashion. The 6th Pride Cup was the first Grand Finals for the revamped VPSL competition and proudly sponsored by Pride Mobility Australia. Well done to both teams for putting on a brilliant display of skill, sportsmanship and passion.
VPSL 2018/19 Ladder
Game 1: Powerchair Football
It was another close contest of Powerchair Football as both teams created plenty of chances but neither could capitalise in regulation time. Both teams defences held strong with some close calls throughout the match. With the scores level at 0-0 at the end of full-time, the Scorpions came out and scored an early goal in extra time. From there they maintained control before the Dragons managed one last chance. With only seconds left the Dragons won a corner and managed to sneak the ball though the goals but were beaten by the siren, which gave the Scorpions a thrilling win.
Final Score: Scorpions (1) def. Dragons (0)
Goal Scorers
Dragons –
Scorpions – J.Svaganovic (1)
Photos provided by Ian Spence | Pride Cup 2019 Game 1 – Powerchair Football
Game 2: Rugby League
In the second game of the day, both teams were desperate to get a win. It was tight all the way through with the biggest lead of the game just 4 points. The momentum swung back and forth with the Dragons gaining the lead with 3 minutes left. In another contentious finish the Scorpions were just inches from the try line before a game saving tackle in the dying stages gave the Dragons a crucial victory and more importantly send the Pride Cup into a deciding game.
Final Score: Dragons (22) def. Scorpions (20)
Point scorers
Dragons – C.Kessaris (8), S.Mott (6), R.Deayton (4), C.Kilby (4)
Scorpions – L.David (16), J.Rycken (4)
Photos provided by Ian Spence | Pride Cup 2019 Game 2 – Powerchair Rugby
Game 3: Powerchair Hockey
The deciding game of the Pride Cup saw yet another exhilarating finish. The first half saw a tight contest with both teams desperate to gain the ascendancy as the Dragons took a slight one goal lead into half-time. In the second half it went goal for goal and blow for blow as both teams fought right to the end. The Scorpions responded to every Dragons goal which eventually resulted in the game going to extra time. The Dragons scored a goal early on in extra time with the Scorpions able to respond yet again to send the game into a penalty shootout. It took until the seventh round of penalties before a goal was scored by the Dragons. The Scorpions were unable to score on return, which secured the Victory for the Dragons and ultimately the Pride Cup.
Final score: Dragons (7) drew. Scorpions (7) AET
Dragons won 1-0 on penalties
Goal scorers
Dragons – S.Mott (8)
Scorpions – L.David (7)
Photos provided by Ian Spence | Pride Cup 2019 Game 3 – Powerchair Hockey
Photo: Paul Kertes | www.pkphotography.net
Awards:
Powerchair Football Best & Fairest: Shaun Mott
Rugby League Best & Fairest: Luke David
Powerchair Hockey Best & Fairest: Luke David & Shaun Mott
Overall Best & Fairest: Luke David & Shaun Mott
Most Valuable Player: Luke David & Shaun Mott
Rising Star: Chris Kessaris
Rookie of the Season: Jackson Easterbrook
Top Scorers:
Scorers of VPSL 2018/19
Victorian Pride Warriors 2019 Team:
The Victorian Pride Warriors will travel to Sydney for the 34th National Electric Wheelchair Sports (NEWS) competition to compete against New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. We wish the team the best of luck as they strive to go back-to-back in Powerchair Hockey and claim the first Powerchair Football championship at NEWS.
- Michael Murdaca
- Jules North-Coombes
- Luke David (Captain/Coach)
- Shaun Mott (Vice-Captain)
- Daniel Maugeri
- Josh Rycken
Assistant Coach: Rebecca Gulle
Team Manager: Adam Lloyd
Emergencies: Craig Kilby, Julia Svaganovic
Thank You:
A big thank you to everyone who attended today and supported our players. Special mentions to Richard from Disability Sport & Recreation, Sharon from Football Victoria, Michaela from Hockey Victoria, Skip from South Melbourne Football Club and Andrew from Pride Mobility Australia. It was a great turn out overall and the atmosphere was electric. Also a special thank you to Paul, Ian and Stuart who were our photographers for the day and to Associated Trophy Distributors Pty Ltd for organising the trophies!
None of this would of been possible without the amazing support of our volunteers, committee members and major sponsor, Pride Mobility Australia. Your support gives our players the opportunity to do what they love which is to play sport!
Join Us Next VPSL Season!
Expression of Interest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VPSL201920_EOI
