CVL | Gallery | Ibises fly as Tatura wins men’s Super Cup on penalties

A battle for the ages, the Ibises downed Shepparton South via penalties at Bendigo’s Epsom Huntly Recreation Reserve, securing the title in the most dramatic way possible.

Early on in the contest it was Tatura that looked good to take the chocolates, with the side going a goal up in the 28th minute thanks to a Zac Ferlauto finish into the bottom corner.

As the rain poured down both teams had chances and despite a powerful strike to South’s Sean Grant forcing a save, the Ibises went into the half-time break 1-0 up.

When the second half kicked off South came out determined and the man who came close at the end of the first ― scored in the second ― with Grant heading the ball into the goal to equalise.

From this point on the contest remained in the balance.

Tatura’s Jude Crichton came close to burying an acrobatic effort late, before a save from the Ibises’ goalkeeper Daniel Coombs, followed by a desperate lunge, prevented a South goal at the death.

With the scores locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes extra time beckoned and South soon hit the front early through a Craig Carley penalty.

The Shepparton outfit would remain in the lead until the last kick of extra time, when substitute and Tatura coach Tristan Zito tucked away a stunning 120th minute goal into the back of the net.

While the red and white side wheeled away to celebrate the dramatic late equaliser the referee blew his whistle and penalties beckoned.

This was where Tatura goalkeeper Coombs stood up, with the gloveman saving South’s first two penalties to put his side in the box seat and helping it run out a 2-2 (4-3) winner.

Speaking after the game Zito said the win was a long time coming.

“Obviously 2011 was our last one, so the boys put in a shift all year until the last whistle,” Zito said.

“It was unreal and to do it against South our rival and to have all our supporters here travelling from far and wide it’s unbelievable, I couldn’t be happier.”

Scoring the dramatic last gasp goal in the 120th minute, Zito said he “couldn’t believe it” when the ball hit the back of the net.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever believe it,” he said.

“That was the craziest game I’ve ever been a part of and it will stay that way forever I’m sure, it’s just mental.

“The boys put in a 120-minute effort, in a grand final to play a 120 minutes like that, it’s unreal.”

Securing victory alongside the club’s women’s team, there are sure to be plenty of smiles on the streets of Tatura for many days to come.