SpongeBobs eventually won the Junior
13-16 years Touch grand final, 10-7, on Thursday night at Tom Knight Memorial Oval in a fast-paced, high scoring match.
Referees Bianka Jacobson and Simone Neyland did well to keep up with the free-flowing match that showcased plenty of pace as well as excellent draw and pass touch skills from SpongeBobs and their Flamingoes opposition.
In a tit-for-tat first half, SpongeBobs went into the half time break with a one point advantage 6-5. SpongeBobs took control of the second half outpointing Flamingoes 4-2 to eventually finish with a three point win.
Presentations followed the game with Sophie Clark named the Player of the Grand Final after scoring two great tries in the match. Jaxon Burke, with a whopping total of 21 tries for the season (which didn’t include the four he scored in the grand final) and Sarah Morley with seven tries, were the Highest Male and Female Try Scorers this season.
The competition’s Best & Fairest players were Damon Bruce and Alora Deppeler.
The Junior 9-12 years grand final between the Bananas and the Red Rangas was without a doubt the match of the night.
After narrowly trailing 2-1 at half time, the Bananas fought back to level the score at 4-all by the time referees Emma Barton and Graham Barton blew full time.
Then the extra time drop-off process began with each team reducing their number of on-field players by one every two minutes. The teams got down to just three players each left on the field before a result was decided.
George McDonald proved to be the hero of the match when he scored the final try of the game (which was his 4th try of the match) and the one that sealed the win for the Bananas.
McDonald collected the Player of the Grand Final award with the referees praising his skill, sportsmanship and willingness to share the ball around with his team mates. He was well supported by Harpa Martin, Lucas Townsend and Alfie Toomey (who scored a great diving try to help the Bananas to their win).
Red Rangas were well served by their try scorers Mason King (2) and Ella Oborn.
Ella Oborn and Harpa Martin tied for Most Tries scored by the girls this season with nine each while George McDonald, with a huge tally of 18 tries, collected the Most Tries trophy for the boys. George also earned the season’s Best & Fairest Boy award with Rhylee Jeffery the Best & Fairest Girl
