CHRIS Vidler was an integral part of West Lions’ five-year premiership streak a few years ago and has gone down in the history books again, leading the club to victory in the first ever game on their new home base at Scully Park and also crossing for the first-ever try on the ground.
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The Lions beat the Diggers 48-28 after running away with it in the final 15 minutes as both teams played at their shared home for the first time.
“It is a good surface,” Vidler said.
“ I can’t believe how fast it is.”
The skipper couldn’t be prouder of the way the Lions have gone about their season so far, and if they keep going that way it could be the last season the front-rower has.
“I went to Manilla last year but didn’t want to leave footy that way,” Vidler said.
The Manilla Tigers had a troubled season after the committee stood down and some players were shown the door early in the year.
This year Vidler has a fresh determination and, along with coach Phil Beaton and assistant Shane Rampling, wants to take the young side all the way, the win over Diggers their sixth in as many outings.
After playing the first round without a home ground, both the Diggers and the Lions have very few trips away from home and even fewer out of Tamworth for the rest of the year.
“It is a great run home,” Vidler said.
“I think we might only have one trip to Gunnedah left and that’s it.”
The Lions face their toughest test yet next round, against cross-town rivals North Tamworth Bears in the traditional local derby.
“Norths are still our true rivals,” Vidler said.
“They are the ones we like to hate and get pumped up for.”
“We have to make this ground into a fortress and remain unbeaten on here as long as possible.”
While the Lions eventually scored a flurry of tries to stretch the margin in the second half on Saturday, the Bears won’t give them that chance.
“We have worked on our defence a fair bit this year but need to control our discipline,” Vidler said.
“Controlled aggression is how we want to play.”
“Sometimes we get baited a bit too easily.”
The first game at Scully Park was no different, the sin bin used a couple of times as tempers flared.
Matt and Steven Nean were the other stand-outs for the Lions, Steven with an excellent attacking game at the back, matching opposition number Chris Hunt, the pair taking the minor points behind Vidler.
Vidler and Sam Taylor both scored doubles as the Lions piled on 10 tries to five.
