The Junior Touch grand finals were played in trying conditions on Thursday afternoon, however, the kids didn’t seem to notice the heat while playing.
Both games attracted a large amount of spectators to Ward Oval in what was reminiscent of Cobar’s touch football former glory days.
In the senior grand final game it was a confident Mighty Red Roosters who were victorious over the Green Machine.
First to score however was the Green Machine who started the game strongly and had the Roosters on the back foot.
Both Jaxon Burke and Tahj Foley played exceptional games in attack, both breaking the line a number of times forcing the Roosters to play a scrambling defensive game.
It was the Roosters though, directed by Zac Broughton and Jayden Paul, who returned fire to put their side in front.
Aisha Schofield picked up a great corner try after some solid driving attack by the Roosters, and Oisin McMullen fooled everyone with a great dummy pass to cross the line and score.
A small lapse in concentration by the Roosters allowed the Green machine to edge closer with Kai Greenwood picking up a length of the field try but at fulltime it was an elated Mighty Red Rooster’s who were eventual winners 7-4.
Kai Greenwood was named Player of the Grand Final for his quality attacking skills and directional play.
Sarah Morley was the top try scorer this season for senior girls, while Tahj Foley scored 11 tries to finish as the senior boys top try scorer.
Each week Best and Fairest points are awarded by the referees.
Female Best and Fairest was young Maddie Bruce, who each week displayed a natural talent for touch football and a willingness to learn, while Ethan McLeod was awarded male Best and Fairest for the senior competition.
“Ethan was also a pleasure to referee each week and matched his older teammates in both skill and sportsmanship,” Coordinator Lisa Travis said.
The junior’s grand final game was a tightly contested and exciting match that saw the Blueys edge out the Electric Eels in sudden death extra time.
The teams couldn’t be split at full time drawing 6-all.
Nate Martin dominated through the field for the Eels along with Drew Barton and Lila Armstrong and they were well supported in attack by Lara Stephens.
The Blueys were well served by playmakers Kai McCosker and Parker Cryer all game with Megan Giurin also strong in attack scoring a fantastic diving sideline try in the final stages of the game.
Zara Patterson and Billy George played their normal solid defensive games and Sosie Barton chased down a flying Piper Allen who was attempting a length of the field breakaway run.
With a tie at full time, the thrilling game went into a drop off with the match winner scored by Kai McCosker in double extra time.
Kai dove for the try line between two Eels players to score.
Kai was rewarded with the Player of the Grand Final title for his efforts in both attack and defence, along with his sportsmanship.
The Blueys were elated with their win and in a show of great sportsmanship all players congratulated the Electric Eels on a fantastic game.
Megan Giurin was the Junior Girl top try scorer for the season and George McDonald was the leading boy try scorer for the Junior Boys with an incredible tally of 21 tries for the season.
Rowdy Barton collected the Junior Boys Best and Fairest trophy for his season-long sportsmanship and encouragement of younger players. Sosie Barton was a standout player and her quality skills in attack and defence and her ability to include all teammates on the field earned her the girls Best and Fairest award.—contributed
