by Bill Johnston
Kingaroy Touch Association
December 15, 2013
The season has come to an end on a high note with the Junior Touch presentation followed by the Senior Grand Finals.
We saw more than 60 junior players play their last game for 2013 and then receive their medallions for participation.
Our coaches then awarded their Most Improved or Encouragement awards for the season.
Awards went to Riley Gale, Shavon Smallwood, James Watt, Cody Gale, Jayden Patch, Lannah Sowden, Maddy Carstairs, Tepaea Apatu, Justice Okesene and Mathew Springate. Congratulations to them all.
Many thanks also to our adult and junior coaches for their assistance this season and to Leesa and Simona for their work in keeping Juniors running so smoothly.
The Juniors then put some moves on the barbecue in a “hungry–thirsty” frenzy.
* * *
Seniors Grand Finals
The Seniors then took to the fields to see who would be crowned number one for season 2, 2013.
It started with the Mixed A and B Grand Finals where Expressos took on IGA Red in the top division and Untouchables played IGA Navy in the B division.
Both games were very close with half time scores being 4 -4 in ‘A’ and 6-5 in ‘B’.
IGA Red were really making the minor premiers Expressos work hard to stay in front.
It was great to see a game where it was anyone’s to win up until the last few minutes. The speed of Expressos was being well covered by communication and combination in the IGA Red team.
It came down to some individuals to stamp their mark on the game and allow Expressos to jump out to a three point lead, finally winning 11-8.
In ‘B’ division, the underdogs IGA Navy pushed Untouchables all the way however they were not able to peg back a two point lead, going down 12-10 in an exciting game.
The minor premiers Untouchables were rewarded for a great season.
* * *
In Mixed C, minor premiers IGA Maroon were left at the starting blocks by an ever improving Touch’n’Go.
By half time it was going to take an amazing turn around for the IGA team to even threaten TNG’s lead.
Despite a slight rally by the IGA team late in the second half, Touch’n’Go continued on their way playing good touch to win the game 6-3.
Congratulations to TNG who came from third to win the Grand Final.
* * *
In Mixed D, Health Hazards proved too strong for the greatly improved St Mary’s to win a close game 9-8.
This is just the score line you want in a Grand Final as the game is still for the taking right up to the hooter.
Unfortunatly St Mary’s could not get the touch down to force a drop off and HH celebrated a well-earned victory.
Congratulations to all teams in the Mixed Divisions for a great season and Grand Finals.
(Photo: Bill Johnston)
* * *
In the Open Division, we saw both Minor Premiers complete their seasons taking out the Grand Finals.
In Open B, Has Been Wanna Bes were too good, winning 11-7, in what the referees described as a fast and enjoyable game. Coolabunia Gunners pushed them all the way but were unable to reduce the lead that HBWB’s had created.
In the Open A Grand Final, the very clinical minor premiers Gumps shot out of the blocks and put the Grand Final in little doubt by half time with a score of 5-0 over Roosters.
Gumps’ defence across the park was strong and frustrated the Roosters attack, shutting down all but one of their attacking raids.
Gumps’ attack was well organised from the beginning and made the Roosters’ defence work hard all the time.
Roosters rallied slightly in the second half to limit the final score to 9-1 in favour of Gumps, which meant the Minor Premiers remained undefeated for the season.
* * *
Many thanks to the local and visiting referees who officiated during the evening.
Thanks to Pat for co-ordinating the referees for the night and the season, as well as organising courses and carnivals. They did a great job and their efforts allow us to have a competition.
Special mention to one of our own who played in two ‘A’ division finals, with 50 per cent success, and refereed the Mixed final in between.
This sort of attitude and effort for the club, especially from a junior member, is a level of commitment and dedication we should all applaud.
And finally, a big cheer for Bec, Bill, Katy and Lee who do a huge amount of work in the clubhouse each Monday night to keep everything going smoothly.
* * *
Dominos Dash For Cash
The Dash is dusted, pizzas polished and the prizes presented. That sums up the evening.
The 2013 season came to an end on a beautiful evening last Monday (December 9) with no wind, no rain and not cold.
As well as the Dominos Dash For Cash, the season’s awards were presented to acknowledge the hard work and talented performances in the club.
Players of the Season:
- Open – Sam Johnston [Gumps]
- Mixed A/B – Daniel Favier [IGA Red]
- Mixed A/B – Liz Lyons …[Posso Panthers]
- Mixed C/D – Matt Krosch [Meandu Miners]
- Mixed C/D – Celia Blanch [Childs Play]
Referee of the Year – Sinead Horne
Junior Referee Encouragement Award – Eli Bunyoung
Players of the Grand Finals were:
- Open A – Adam Geiger [Gumps]
- Open B – Dexter Calvert [HBWB]
- Mixed A – Sam Johnston [Expressos]
- Mixed B – Ashley Smallwood [Untouchables]
- Mixed C – Tyler Favier [TNG]
- Mixed D – Martin Oliver [HH]
The Dollars in the Dominos Dash For Cash went to:
- Mixed A/B Plate Final – Taabinga
- Mixed A/B Runner Up – Expressos
- Mixed A/B Winner – IGA Red
- Mixed C/D Plate Final – Childs Play
- Mixed C/D Runner Up – IGA Maroon
- Mixed C/D Winner – St Marys
- Open Plate Final – IGA Blue
- Open Runners Up – Write Offs
- Opens Winner – Has Beens Wanna Be’s
Thanks must go to all the club members that refereed to allow this event to take place. We keep saying it but we have no competition without these people taking on the refereeing duties.
A huge thank you to Dominos for their support for this evening. It is designed to be a fun event and it was great to see paper scissors rock have to be done to break several dead locks.
We hope everyone enjoyed their games regardless of the outcomes.
We thank all those that participated, stayed to watch, ate drank and were merry to make it a great evening.
Have a safe and enjoyable break and we hope to see you all and more back next year.
