Crunch time in touch finals
Thursday 10 November 2011
Crunch time in touch finals
The completion of the NuBlu Spa and Pool touch season ended on Monday with some really close matches and two games going down to a drop off. Importantly, the grand final also lived up to the high expectations.
The Sharks and Mojos game was a game that had nothing on it in terms of finals success, but it sure wasn't played like that for there were plenty of tries scored in the first half.
Mojos led 4-2 with Josh Sagabia scoring three of them, but the Sharks weren't ready to give in and young Tully and Glenn showed a few moves and got them back into the contest with the scores 5-5 at the full-time siren.
The players thought that it was done deal but, being a finals game, a drop off occurs (whereby a player from each team leaves the field after each minute of extra time) and the Mojos only needed one set to score through their leader in Mick Hart going over for a try.
DCs and Quicksilver were playing for the wooden spoon, but someone forgot to tell DCs and they went out to win the game.
The game was as close as DCs have been all year with a 1-1 scoreline at the half. There were many missed chances for both teams but at the end of the game it was two a piece with tries to Matt Churchill and Johnno for DCs, and Paddy and Geoff for Quicksilver.
So this game had to head for a drop off as well, with seven minutes gone into extra time and 3 on 3 happening it seemed that this game wasn't ending soon but it was Quicksilver who used the extra space and run 40 metres to score the win and hand DCs the wooden spoon.
The Raiders took on the Oldies in the next game and it was pretty much a one-sided affair with the Raiders players back and combining well to put seven tries on the Oldies. Todd Funch and Tom Seynard both picked up doubles and Mr Reliable, Adam Calcraft, also got over.
But it was the try scored by the Oldies' Paul Ferrero which was a highlight for he combined with his son with a nice move which, it was revealed, was practiced at home.
The main game of the evening was Teachers taking on Jimbos and what a game it turned out to be.
It started out at a franetic pace with both teams going end to end but with no luck or ball going down just at the wrong time. But it was Coxy who got over first for the Teachers.
After the shackles were broken the Teachers scored two tries in quick time to Josh and Katie which took them to a 4-0 lead and it looked that Jimbos could be headed for a big score against them.
But half time came and some quick coaching from James Burley got them back into the match with Butters going over, then Taylor getting a try to put the game in the balance with a 4-3 scoreline.
Jimbos threw everything at the Teachers to get over the line but to no avail, and Teachers tried to put the nail in the coffin but just couldn't get over due to some great scrambling defence by Jimbos.
So the game was of two halves; first it was the Teachers playing to their strength and setting up a 4-0 lead, and then Jimbos recovered at the break and put together a team effort but fell a try short.
The fast pace probably effected both sides as the last three minutes were very scrappy.
So the teams ended up like this:
1st: Teachers - much deserved winners of the competition winning every game except for one (and having the same players and team every week helps). Congrats.
2nd: Jimbos - what could have been for a team that didn't show for two weeks? Missed Doolah for the Grand Final, but a huge pat on the back for Jimbos for rallying a team each week (even if they only had one girl) and being there to ref.
3rd: Mojos - deserving of third. Mick Hart and Fitzy have got a few young guys to show them how to play the game. Pushed the Teachers last week and could have been the top team. They scored the biggest win of the year 17 -1 over DCs. A big thanks to Mick.
4th: Jr Sharks - mostly fathers and sons playing, they set the bar early with big wins, but fell away in the middle of the season and dropped down to the middle of the pack. If the boys stayed around they could have been anything. A huge mention to Tully and Glen who played way beyond their years and wasn't fazed by the older guys and even showed them a few things.
5th: Raiders - started out with 13 guys and were going well but seemed to fall near the end despite everyone showing up for the final. Still, they probably deserved to finish a bit higher and could have beaten the top three sides if all there every week.
6th: Oldies - tale of broken down old bodies. A great idea soon turned into a medical ward with eight serious injuries. A team that was there for fun soon found out that maybe it wasn't a great idea in the first place.
7th: Quicksilver - a team that was sitting in third spot for four weeks turned the off switch and slid down to be second last. A few losses on the trot and players not showing up didn't help their cause. A few experienced players helped them thru but not quite there.
8th, last, wooden spoon (what ever you want to call it): DCs - by far the team that cops the most flak but still turns up every week and puts in. They win the social side of the competition and one team that loves playing for the fun of it. This team got the most ribbing from me but was all in good fun and enjoyed them in the comp. They did have a rare final and were they to win the drop off they would have snuck into seventh.
As this is the last article for the year I would like to thank a few people. Mick Hart, Fitzy, Dave Cotton, Dazza and Steve - if asked to do something they always did it. Thanks to all the refs (even if you did the first game Funchy) who performed when asked, or who was the only one for their team. It's a hard gig and can be daunting at times.
And lastly Matty Churchill and The Newsport. Without their help and effort I wouldn't be able to do this report and not get it changed like other media, or even change for spots. Hopefully it also added a few more subscribers to The Newsport.
Next year's comp is in the pipeline and probably be held in April or May next year with a few changes to the comp. So if you have a team or idea, don't hesitate to contact The Newsport and let me know.
Get sports news first on The Newsport Sport page.
Editor's Comments: I'm sure everyone involved in the touch footy this season would like to give Adrian a big pat on the back. It was a great success in its first year back. Thanks for the reports too Adrian, they have had a strong following and we look forward to next year where the DCs will be looking for some new recruits, preferably under 25 years old.