The perfect way for the side to head into the competition’s four-week, school-holiday break, Orange City controlled the round nine clash virtually from start to finish to eventually triumph 48-39.

On top of being Vipers’ first loss of the year, it also pushes the Lions side into a share of the Toyota Cup lead too, with only percentage separating the two sides now.

“It was pretty even-steven in the first quarter, but (at quarter-time) I think we sort of knew the game was ours, we just needed to stay level-headed and concentrate on our phase play,” Gilchrist said, her side doing just that in the final three terms.

“The scoreline probably didn’t reflect the game itself because 11 goals seems like a pretty sound victory, but it felt like it was only two or three,

“Vipers were without Sophie (Fardell) and she’s a pretty big part of their defensive end but I think we were pretty solid, whether she would’ve made that big a difference I’m not sure, but the win is a great way for us to go into the break because the Craig Harvey Mechanical team has been working really, really hard.”

It was a somewhat uncharacteristic performance from Vipers, particularly in the attacking circle where they were far less efficient than usual. That was thanks largely to a huge defensive effort from the Lions though.

“It could have been an off day for Vipers too, normally they don’t miss too many, they’ve been spot on there so far this year, but we were good in that end,” Gilchrist said.

The Lions’ mentor went on to praise the work of her younger brigade. While the likes of Tegan Dray and Kristin Zinga were superb as usual she couldn’t speak highly enough of Maddie Cole, Milly Wilcox and Ellie Madden’s performances.

“Maddie, at [wing attack] was just outstanding,” Gilchrist said.

“Milly, well, she just continue to amaze me with her performances and the maturity she has at her age. Ellie was with Orange City before, but she’s been travelling on and off for two years.

“She’s back now and has taken a bit of time to find her feet again having not played for so long, but she’s hitting her straps now and was great on the weekend.

“Vic Briscoe also returned on the weekend too and for her first game this season, she was great.

“What we’re trying to do this year is make playing division one with Orange City an attainable goal, that’s part of the reason for the split between the two teams.

“In the past, well for the last 10 years really, it maybe hasn’t been for the younger players but I think we’re really starting to see the benefits now.

“It’s been a work in progress all season and we know the back end of the year is when we really need to be playing well and this kind of win will give us a real boost in terms of self-belief, knowing we can compete and beat the top teams.”

Before last weekend’s defeat, no team had come closer to Vipers than seven goals and that was the Craig Harvey Mechanical outfit way back in round two, and Gilchrist said the fact the navy and teal bibs were trailing for the best part of the game may have been a big factor.

“They haven’t been in that position yet this year,” she said, adding she’s sure the side will bounce back in a big way.

“They’re a champion team, they’re rock solid, a really tight outfit, so I’m sure they’ll come back bigger and be a lot tougher next time around. I am really interested to see how they react to it though.”

In Saturday’s other round nine results Life Studio took down Orange High Hornets 60-26, Orange City Newey’s Drive Thru-Cleaners edged out Life Studio Mid-West Eyes 49-47 and Hawks Royals downed Hawks DVM 69-39.

The Toyota Cup resumes on Saturday, July 28.