Eight months ago the Cubs, as they were known back then, made history when they became the first team of Thailand nationals to play against the Thailand Tigers. Mani kicked almost all of their goals that day but Pez broke their hearts at the death, kicking the winner on the buzzer for the Tigers. The Cubs had another crack a couple of months later and were heavily beaten. So much has changed since then. The Cubs are now the Serpents, a team made up of young men who have toured abroad and represented their country. They have grown both in physical size and in confidence and on Saturday had a chance to make history again. They seized the opportunity with both hands. 

It was a weakened Tigers team. Hasto was serving the first game of his self-imposed ban, J-Mac was injured, Hooey unavailable and Pez was kicking goals and winning glory with the Gaelic boys. But they were no easy beats. Sammo and Welby were in the forward line, Big Nate in the ruck. Domestic captain Nam was in the middle along with Skinny, Gian and Coyote. Jonno and Jazza were coming into the match with great form from last week and Sammo’s mate Mark was in town as a ring-in. The Tigers also welcomed Russel to the squad for his first ever match. The Tigers had every right to be confident. But so did the Serpents. And they showed the Tigers no respect.

All around the park the Serpents took it to them. Mani was unplayable on Saturday, streaking past players with ease, his pace and agility too much for the ageing Tigers. And once in space he was sending in bullet passes to the chests of his forwards, usually Frankie, who had a breakout game up front. So many times it happened, Mani in space, Frankie pushing forward, lancing kick in, mark then goal. Frankie kicked seven and Mani got three. Together they ripped the Tigers to shreds. But it would be wrong to say that they won it for the Serpents. All around the park the boys stood up. First had a great game and kicked a wonder goal from a wide angle. Jame was everywhere, spoiling marks and crumbing with great energy. Passes were sticking that the Cubs used to drop. They were linking together hand passes and making tackles all around the ground. How proud the Saunders family must be. 

The Tigers played their part and didn’t give up. Coyote and Skinny tackled hard, Sammo took all his chances up front and Welby was wiley as ever around the ground. Angel, still sweating from his CrossFit session that morning ran with Mani all game. But experience and height was no match for pace, energy and the growing belief of this Serpents team. History was made at TSI on the weekend, match two between the Serpents and the Tigers has just become a lot more interesting!