Seventh Heaven For Next-Gen Untouchables

Next-Gen Untouchables have claimed their seventh-straight Taringa mixed title with a gutsy 3-1 win over long-time rival Burners on Tuesday night.

The match marked the fifth consecutive time these two teams have met in the Taringa grand final.

On the biggest stage, the game was set to be one of the most competitive finals in recent seasons with both teams striking form at the right end of the season.

Range Brewing Try Assist Leader Craig Woods crossed the try line in the opening minutes after a precision dump and split inside 10 meters with Joe Flannery.

Some end-to-end footy followed with both teams testing their opponent with a heavy dose of rucking and last-touch kicking.

The scoreline would remain unchanged heading into the break despite a string of close-try situations from Joe Flannery, Ryan Mason-Cox, Gerard Martin, Matt McIver and Sarah Martin.

A game of attrition ensued in the second half with Untouchables’ playing the duration with no subs.

An importance on field possession, Burners continuously drove the ball into their opponents’ 10m however came up empty on the scoreboard. Momentum clearly with the challengers.

Fatigue and frustration crippled the reigning champs with multiple sets failing to reach halfway.

It took until the 36th minute and a crucial error by Burners in their own half to halt the momentum. Untouchables would capitalise by forcing a line drop out and receiving a consecutive set for just the second time in the half.

Some quick footwork and goal line rucking by the core of the Untouchables attack sucked in the Burners defence before a swift two-pass to Caitlyn Spanner who dived in untouched on the wing to give her side the first lead of the game.

The result was put beyond doubt with a late try to Anthony Martin who scooted up the sideline before kicking for himself to score. Next-Gen Untouchables win 3-1

Next-Gen Untouchables: Caitlyn Spanner, Anthony Martin.
Burners: Craig Woods.
Player of the Match: Craig Woods.
Best and Fairest: Caitlyn Spanner.

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Kickaholics Anonymous have won their first ‘mixed two’ title with an emphatic 9-4 win over a gallant Rampage side.

Man of the match Justin Noonan ran wild setting up four tries and scoring one of his own in his farewell match. Captain David Sercombe crossed for his first ever hat-trick dating back to 2008.

Rampage crossed in the opening minutes with some fancy footwork from representative player Funsho Olaleye.

Kickaholics hit back moments later with a pin-point cut-out ball from Justin Noonan to send Don Grahame over in the corner.

Rampage pushed ahead through Romney Setch after she pounded on a kick in the in-goal that ricocheted off three defenders.

The two-point lead was cut to one on the stroke of halftime after Noonan sent David Sercombe over with a crisp short-ball on the goal line.

Noonan would notch up his third try assist early in the second half and combine with Sercombe once again to force the scores level.

Rampage would take the lead again through Antony Tatkovic who used his speed to run 30 metres across field to slice through the defence to make it a 4-3 lead.

The leveller was swift with Kickaholics driving the ball down the field to force a repeat set before a nifty short kick from David Sercombe to give himself three tries for the match.

With the momentum firmly with Kickaholics, Eliza Mooney crossed for the next two tries after a lovely flick pass from Isaac Toohey, followed by a precision short pass from Justin Noonan on the next possession.

The man of the match crossed for a late try in the dying minutes to cap a remarkable performance.

Kickaholics Anonymous: David Sercombe (3), Eliza Mooney (2), Don Grahame, Justin Noonan.
Rampage: Funcho Olaleye, Romney Setch, Antony Tatkovic.
Player of the match: Justin Noonan.
Best and Fairest: Maddie Butterfield.

Autumn season kicks-off Tuesday, February 26th. Register your team! To re-register, visit the Taringa venue page.
Summer season team photos.