Slappers, P-Dub Score Stafford Spring Success
Slappers have broken a six year drought with a hard-fort 3-2 win over Larrikins on Wednesday night.
The victory is Slappers ;first grand final win since going back-to-back at Taringa in 2014.
After knocking off summer & winter champions Ballerz in the semi-final, Slappers lead by Jason West went into the match as slight favourites.
The greasy conditions flipped the (match) script and turned the game into a slug-fest; a style suited to grand final newcomers Larrikins.
It was Kristian Wanka who crossed off a probing inside ball from Nathan McCarthy to give Larrikins’ the first points.
Slappers’ leading try scorer Angus Webster (10) hit back swiftly with a try of his own to bring the scores level within the first five minutes.
A clunky attack featuring a handful of representative players slowly started to click as Slappers began to ruck the ball direct to win the field possession battle.
Larrikins’ rock-solid middle defence and captain Lilia Kurtz’s efforts as a short sweeping fullback turned several Slappers’ attacking raids away.
In a six minute period at the back end of the half, Larrikins touched the ball twice as Slappers piled on the pressure.
The breakthrough came from a ruck and split by Tristian Bell-Blissner to Chloe Storm in the corner. Slappers took a 3-1 at the break.
An upbeat halftime speech ensued as both teams performed well laid down the law.
The possession count was bound to even up and with it, the opportunities for Larrikins who had been starved of the ball.
Right one cue, in the first five minutes, Larrikins capitalised on three repeat sets with try assist leader Lachlan Marah slicing through the Slappers’ middle defence.
The match was poised for a grandstand finish but what played out was a throwback to the original days of Kick It with plenty of defence and limited points.
Some monumental efforts in defence from the Slappers middle men in Matthew Allen, Jason West, Kelvin Northey and Dan Ebert helped nullify a boosted Larrikins’ attack.
On the flip side, on the rare occasions Slappers got into position for an attacking raids it was Kristian Wanka, Nic Palmer and Steve McCormack who turned them away.
As time slipped away, it was the middle men who helped dry up the points.
Well done to Slappers on the victory.
Slappers (3): Angus Webster, Chloe Storm
Larrikins (2): Kristian Wanka, Lachlan Marsh
Player of the match: Matthew Allen
Best and Fairest: Kristian Wanka
No subs, no worries for P-Dub.
P-Dub made it two from two post-COVID with a red-hot 6-3 win over rivals LGM’s in the Stafford mens final.
The achievement marks the eighth time P-Dub has won a mens grand final – the most of any mens team in Kick It history.
LGM’s took the field boasting ten of eleven players on their team list, while their opponent made up the numbers with just seven.
The boys in purple capitalised on the back of their first sub rotation through Dean Saxvik who nabbed a short grubber.
As the game started to settle and P-Dub got into their rucking sequence, they produced the first repeat set of the game.
Long standing player Jarrod Clayton took advantage by kicking through a gap in the defence to level the scores.
The momentum firmly with the champs, they maintained field possession for much of the first half.
Rep star Matt O’Brien sent Brenton Biddle over for P-Dub’s second after a mountain of possession.
While LGM’s had their opportunity in attack, their end of set options came up short.
Luke Murray grubbered an unlikely 20/10 to continue to pour on the pressure for his opponent.
Clayton scooted through some tired middle defence his second and push the score out to 3-1.
A clearly shell-shocked LGM’s outfit began to throw it around as their quicker man started to come into the game.
A pin-point 20/10 from captain Jackson Patton put his side in great field position and snapped-back momentum.
Line breaks to Billy Robertson and Jesse Ripley paid off with the latter claiming LGM’s second try with minutes remaining in the second half.
Brayden Barrett was gifted his side’s third try with a botched catch off the kick-off from Matt O’Brien to level up the scores at halftime.
A simple game followed with both teams looking to create the extra man round the ruck.
P-Dub kept things narrow and simple no subs, while LGM’s looked a little tentative at times as they failed to capitalise on some fatigued defenders.
LGMs were the first team to defend repeat sets on the goal line and P-Dub’s Sam Gadsby made them pay with a short kick through a gaping hole.
The momentum firmly with the hosts as Gadsby notched up his second in quick time to extend his side’s lead to 5-3.
With the slippery conditions, fatigue was also evident as the ball movement from both teams appeared restricted.
A rare spread to Bill Chisholm who turned Luke Murray back on the inside clinched P-Dub their third try of the second half and the game.
Well done to P-Dub on their outstanding win.
While LGM’s weren’t at their best, it was a tremendous effort to make the finals for the third time in the last four seasons.
P-Dub: Jarrod Clayton (2), Sam Gadsby (2), Brenton Biddle, Luke Murray
LGM’s: Dean Saxvik, Jesse Ripley, Brayden Barrett
Player of the match: Jarrod Clayton
In the mens two grand final, Scattered Tinnies claimed their first final win with a dominant 10-2 win over Honey Badgers.
Player of the match and Tinnies’ captain Brett Coghill starred with two tries and two assists.
Ryan Abil also featured with two tries, while teammates George Messenger, Chase Batten-Smith and Will also notched up tries.
Honey Badgers’ Hayden and Jackson Hanley crossed for their sides’ points.
Well done to Scattered Tinnies on their mens grand final win.
LIVIN try & Range Brewing Assist leaders
Thanks to everyone on a fantastic Spring season.
A special mention to our seasonal sponsors Arrivederci Pizzeria, Newstead Remedial Massage, Grill’d Everton Park, Grill’d Chermside, LIVIN and Range Brewing.
We will resume at Stafford on January 13th, 2021. Registrations are now open.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
On Facebook: Champions photos
