Perth Blitz vs Rockingham Vipers.
Camera IconPerth Blitz vs Rockingham Vipers. Credit: Supplied/Jeremy Truong

Gridiron: losing start for both Perth Blitz teams against Rockingham Vipers

Jeremy TruongSouthern Gazette

PERTH Blitz saw defeat in its 2017-18 Gridiron West season opener against last year’s grand finalists Rockingham Vipers, with both the seniors and juniors going down on Saturday.

The two fierce rivals battled it out at Lark Hill Sporting Complex, and the round 1 encounter saw the Blitz seniors beaten 36-0, while the Blitz juniors narrowly went down 14-6.

In the seniors games, the Blitz came up against the reigning premiers in a game which was tightly contested until late in the game when a tired defence was overrun by the Vipers.

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There were glimpses of brilliance throughout the game with kick returning being a highlight, but the Blitz offence was unable to string together enough series to pressure the opponent’s defence, while the Blitz defence was left ruing multiple missed tackles.

The juniors’ game was a rematch of last season’s Junior Westbowl Final, with a number Australian Outback representatives taking the field for both teams.

However, this encounter between the juniors saw the Vipers put on early scoreboard pressure against a Blitz side who could only find the end-zone towards the end of the game.

Round 2 sees Perth Blitz return to Lark Hill Sporting Complex to take on Claremont Jets on Saturday October 14.

The juniors kick-off at 5pm and the seniors will take the field at 7pm.

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