Junior touch comp continues to showcase great talent

The junior touch double header games
played last week showcased some great talent
across both the junior and senior competitions.
Rounds 7 and 8 were played on Thursday at
Ward Oval, with the competition due to wrap
up in two weeks.
In the junior matches, there was an upset
with the Red Devils defeating the ladder leaders,
Orange Blazers, 4-2.
Nate Martin and Billy George crossed for the
Red Devils, and Rowdy Barton and Jaxon
Waugh scored for the Orange Blazers.
Lila Armstrong scored herself the game’s
three Best and Fairest (B&F) points for an
outstanding game.
Clair Cousins and Clay McDonald were both
strong in attack and defence for the Blazers,
but eventually the Red Devils ran out as winners.
The Blazers were able to regroup and record
a win in their second game.
They won 7-5 over the Yellow Jackets in a
great contest where the lead changed a number
of times.
Blazers’ Aiden Hyland and Harpa Martin ran
strongly through the middle, and Yellow Jackets
were well served by Kai McCosker and
Mason King who were difficult to stop.
Drew Barton collected two B&F points for
his play direction and strong running, while
Blazers’ speedy Clair Cousins consistently
played well and earned herself three B&F
points.
Blue Thunder was unlucky in both their
matches, going down by one try in their games
with Yellow Jackets and Red Devils.
In their first game against the Yellow Jackets,
Phoebe Travis picked up a try and three
B&F points.
She was well supported in attack by Rhylee
Patterson and Tillie Cain.
Yellow Jackets players Ella Oborn, Eli Martin
and George McDonald put together some
great attacking plays that helped their side to
run out as eventual 5-4 winners.
Red Devils’ Gabriel Harris and Ryder Anderson
had strong games through the middle of
the field, leading their team to a 4-3 win over
the Thunder.
Talas Burke scored two great run away tries
for the Thunder and Will Oborn picked up two
B&F points for his excellent leadership on the
field.
The Orange Blazers retained their top of the
ladder position and will take on improving
team, the Blue Thunder, in this week’s juniors
semi final.
Second placed Red Devils will be looking for
a win over the fast paced Yellow Jackets in
what will surely be an entertaining game.
In the senior competition, the ladder leaders
RND’s recorded a win over second placed
Blue Marlins 4-3 in their match last week.
The referees described the game as “the
match of the season” with some great skills on
display and even better leadership by the senior
players.
RND’s Jaxon Burke was consistently dangerous
in attack and scored the match winner with
just two seconds left on the clock.
Aisha Schofield scored a great try after some
excellent support play and Oisin McMullen
came up with some try saving touches in the
final minutes of the game.
Best for the Marlins were Damon Bruce who
picked up three B&F points, along with Sophie
Clark and also Tadhg McMullen, who fooled
everyone with his quality dummy passes
through the middle.
The Marlins picked up a handy 4-0 win over
Afta Midnight. Mitch Allen crossed the line for
two tries and Parker Cryer had some strong
outside linking runs.
The Marlins managed to keep Afta midnight
scoreless, while Ethan McLeod, Zach Snudden
and Sarah Morley threw everything at the Marlins,
they were unable to capitalise on their
opportunities.
Afta Midnight made up for their scoreless
game in their other match against the Green
Beans. They put on a dominant display running
in eight tries. Jayden Paul and Sarah Morley
crossed twice, and were well supported by
Axel Fairfull close to the line.
For the Green Beans, Jayden Cryer had his
best game of the season (which earned him a
B&F point) and Sosie Barton was consistent in
attack.
The Beans however were no match for the
improving Afta Midnight side who grabbed the
points for the win.
Tomorrow’s senior semifinals will definitely
be games to watch.
RND’s will take on Afta Midnight and Blue
Marlins will play the Green Beans.
Spectators are welcome to go along to Ward
Oval for what will be some entertaining touch
football.