by Bill Johnston
Kingaroy Touch Association

November 27, 2013

Everything is set for next week’s end-of-season Grand Finals following a hectic night of semi-finals on Monday.

There were some close games with a drop off in Mixed C needed to split the two teams.

Some favourites faltered and some proved their minor premierships were well deserved with convincing wins.

Here’s a run-down of the night’s play:

* * *
In the Open A division, Gumps continued their season undefeated proving too strong for the more senior IGA Blue with an 11-2 win, although it was only great youthful defence that stopped the Blues from scoring some well-constructed touch downs, and speed and agility that allowed Gumps to score as many as they did.

With many of the Gumps team in Year 12, though, this may be their last Grand Final with their current line up.

In the other game there was a glimpse of the future as Kingas Maccas just missed out on an upset win over their older rivals Roosters.

The youngsters went down by one in a close game 6-5 game.

This makes Maccas a team to watch for next season as 99 per cent are in Year 10 or below.

And it leaves another rematch in the Grand Final between Gumps and Roosters, who finished first and second respectively.

* * *
In Open B it will be Coolabunia Gunners to meet HBWB in the decider. HSWB and Coolabunia also finished first and second respectively in this division.

I did not receive a report on the semi-final between Write Offs and Gunners, but I did see both teams score (which is always good) with the final score being 14-3.

It brings to an end a long season for Write Offs, who played Opens due to the fact they just could not find two extra female players.

The club thanks them for their dedication in turning up every week knowing they were going to have a hard game and practice their tap off moves fairly regularly.

We really hope they will run again next season in the division of their choice.

* * *
In the Mixed Divisions Grand Finals there should be some fantastic games next week.

In the ‘A’ Grand Final the undefeated Expressos take on the up-and-coming IGA Red.

Expressos beat a gallant and much improved Taabinga team 12-2, while IGA Red overcame regular grand finalists Posso Panthers in a close see-sawing game 9-6.

Again, the top two teams have progressed to the decider next week.

* * *
In Mixed ‘B‘, Untouchables will play IGA Navy who upset the second-placed Flatliners in a fast fluctuating game.

This sees the fourth placed team, IGA Navy, make it through to the Grand Final against the minor premiers Untouchables. emphasising again how close this division has been all season.

* * *
In Mixed ‘C ‘, IGA Maroon will battle Touch N Go in the Grand Final after Meandu Miners were beaten by Touch N Go 5-4 in a drop off.

This division has been so close all season that the order on the ladder changed dramatically each week as there were so few points between first and fourth.

The younger Touch N Go team managed to score in the first set of six in the drop off.

The Miners were unable to match this with their first use of the ball, although they seemed set to score when the half got through over the line but could not find support players free to pass to.

* * *
In Mixed ‘D’ we will see Health Hazards take on St Marys after HH defeated Childs Play 8-3 in Monday night’s game.

This will be a tight contest as both teams seem to have hit some form at the correct end of the season.

We hope Childs Play enjoyed their first season because they were a team put together at the club house made up of new players who turned up for Sign On night.

* * *
Next week, on Monday December 2, there’ll be pairs of Grand Finals at 6:00pm, 7:00pm and 8:00pm.

Drinks and a barbecue will be available on Grand final night, so come on down and watch if you are not involved to see who triumphs.

Or watch the next Grand Final with a refreshment and review your own Grand Final performance if you are playing

I wish the best of luck to all players and hope they enjoy it.

After all, it’s just a game and it’s meant to be fun!

The season’s presentations will be held the following week at the Dash For Cash event on the 9 December.