The undefeated Orange Physiotherapy Vipers are one win clear on top but after that, the battle for the remaining top four spots is absolutely fierce, especially considering some of last weekend’s results.

Last year’s runners-up Hawks Royal, Orange City Newey’s Drive-Thru Cleaners (NDTC) and Orange City Craig Harvey Mechanical (CHM) are all deadlocked on 10 points, trailing the so-far-dominant Vipers by three and rounding out the top four.

While Life Studio has now suffered back-to-back losses the navy and lime bibs remain firmly in the hunt, they’re just two points out of the four with Hawks DVM two points further adrift and the winless Life Studio Mid West Eyes (MWE) and OHS Hornets two more back.

Vipers maintained their stranglehold on the competition by handing Life Studio that second loss on the trot, the competition leaders firmed further as early-season title favourites with a hard-fought 46-37 victory.

In another huge result on Saturday afternoon Orange City CHM picked up its second straight win by downing the previously-undefeated Hawks Royal, winning by a surprisingly big margin of nine goals, 54-45.

Orange City NDTC secured a third straight win, defeating OHS Hornets 43-30 while in a breakthrough result, Hawks DVM picked up its maiden victory of the season over Life Studio MWE.

The two blues’ second string side was charged with the toughest opening three rounds of the season of any team, against Life Studio, Hawks Royal and Orange City NDTC, and it showed as they went winless.

But the outfit improved through those games and as coach Tash Rudd confirmed, hit its straps to hold out a gallant Life Studio MWE 48-44 on Saturday.

“I’m so stoked with the team,” Rudd, who plays in the Hawks Royal side as well, said.

“We’ve had a tough start to the year and even though those first two losses were substantial, the girls were really positive after them and the third loss, to Orange City (NDTC), we could’ve won that game and I’ve never really been part of a side that was so happy after a loss.

“We just needed to learn how to keep going through until the end and it was great to see that happen on the weekend, we closed the game out really well.”

That’s not to say the victory was easy, far from it.

“We led by 12 goals at one stage so Life Studio, they’re a really great young team, they came back at us hard but we held on which was really pleasing,” Rudd said.

“We’ve had a few younger players come across from CYMS this year and they’ve really breathed a new enthusiasm into the side, which has just been great.

“With Mel Vardanega coming across for Vipers, she just needed a freshen up I think, that’s been really helpful too. She’s enjoying working with our young shooters and she was super-excited after the win.”

Rudd heaped praise on her side’s entire younger brigade, highlighting Liv Basha and 13-year-old Olivia Dolbel in particular.

“So Olivia Dolbel is playing in our shooting end and she’s doing really, really well,” Rudd said.

“Liv Basha, she’s just been outstanding. One thing we really needed was someone who could feed (the attacking circle) really well and she’s done that. She’s been great over the first few rounds and has really added a lot to the group.”

Although Rudd is chuffed with the win, she admitted her side will need to keep a lid on it somewhat considering it faces another tough challenge in Vipers this weekend.

“I’m still confident we can really put it to them though,” Rudd said.

“I mean, being this early in the season winning isn’t everything and they are a very good side so I’d be happy if we stick with them for four quarters and really push them all the way.

“I’m big on making sure you learn from the first half of the season’s games too, so getting a look at Vipers for the second time we play them will be another thing for us.”