Taringa Summer final sees Next-Gen Untouchables, Ball Fondlers triumph

Next-Gen Untouchables have survived a frantic 9-minute extra time period to defeat Kickaholics Anonymous in the division one final at Taringa on Tuesday.

Aided by the return of Gerard Martin and Matt McIver, the duo combined to score the winning points and secure their side’s second consecutive title.

After dropping back to three players, it took a fortuitous cross kick by Martin to find space on the far sideline for McIver to tip-toe the dead ball line to touch down.

The final marked the third time these two teams have met and the sixth time since May last year with one point separating them on each occasion.

The quality of footy was tipped to be high and it showed early on with some end-to-end rucking to gain vital field position.

While the opportunities were scarce, the work-rate of the middles was crucial.

Player of the match Kirk Barber was relentless in defence as he showcased his non-stop attitude, while Untouchables’ Antony Martin echoed the same mentality.

Kickaholics were the first to slip up with an error in the the sixth minute of the match.

The flood gates opened with three errors in the space of one minute, despite Untouchables having the best field position of the game.

The game started to open up in the middle with Kickaholics driving the ball almost 60 metres on their rebound set.

While the challengers had a chance to jam the Untouchables’ attackers, it took just three straight rucks before a power play from 40m out.

Matt McIver started the movement, spotting numbers on the right edge to give to Gerard Martin, who kicked for himself to score from beyond 20.

Two possessions later and with a weight of possession, the team in green crossed for their second through a dump split from Luke Dudgell to captain Tammy Haydock.

Kickaholics fought back on their next possession with Eliza Mooney looked most dangerous with the ball, attacking the line with options either side.

Cam Hayes finished off the set by pouncing on a Trent Gossner grubber to get their side on the board.

With the game well and truely opening up, Lincoln Redgen capitalised on a grubber of his own two sets later to extend Untouchables lead to 4-1.

Back to back repeat sets gifted Kickaholics with ample opportunity on their opponents goal line with Isaac Toohey kicking for himself to score.

Hayes capitalised on the stroke of half time scooping up an Untouchables knock on to close the gap to 4-3.

Anticipation enveloped as both teams took the field for the second half, both eager to start on the right foot.

As the first half started, so did the second half with a strong work-rate of the middles and some conservative end-of-set plays.

A mass of possession on the goal line tested Untouchables’ defence on multiple occasions, only to hold strong.

With Gerard Martin at fullback, the short kicking game of Kickaholics was quashed, nullifying a number of players’ strengths.

Next-Gen struggled to find field possession as their opponent in blue started to turn the screws.

Their best territory came in the final five minute of the half with repeat sets gifting them time inside their opponent’s half.

A loose pass from Untouchables saw speedster Trent Gossner boot the ball down field to receive a room-service bounce and tie the match at 4-4.

As the final seconds ticked down, both teams were out on their feet.

Well done to both teams on a fantastic Taringa Summer division 1 grand final

Next-Gen Untouchables (5)
Tries: Gerard Martin, Tammy Haydock, Lincoln Redgen, Matt McIver
Assists: Luke Dudgell, Gerard Martin

Kickaholics Anonymous (4)
Tries: Cam Hayes (2), Trent Gossner, Isaac Toohey
Assists: Trent Gossner.

Player of the match: Kirk Barber
Best and Fairest: Matt McIver

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Ball Fondlers have won their second division two grand final in four seasons with a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Best Friends.

The experienced Kick It side was hungry from the outset scoring two tries in the opening five minutes.

A dump split from Drew MacDonald to Ross Newton got Fondlers on the board early before a grubber from captain Lachlan Cuffe helped their side skip out to an early 2-0 lead.

Despite missing the mark on their first four possessions, Best Friends hit back through Riley Wagner.

The sheer weight of possession was telling as Ball Fondlers routinely set up camp on Best Friends’ goal line.

The newcomers finally cracked, and it took a perfect wrap play from Cuffe to Jack Blyth to push the lead out to 3-1.

As the players walked out to start the second half, Best Friends knew they were close enough, if good enough.

Key possessions from Lachlan Brennan and Josh Small aided in Best Friends wrestling back momentum as they looked to attack up the middle.

However, errors in crucial situations were their achilles heel.

Ball Fondlers were able to take their opportunity with Nick Buckley combining with Robbie Mazlin to extend their lead to 4-1.

With the pressure off, a late try to Harry Clem provided a spark but it was all in vain.

Well done to both teams on a great Taringa Summer Division 2 final.

Ball Fondlers (4)
Tries: Ross Newton, Lachlan Cuffe, Jack Blyth, Robbie Mazlin.
Assists: Drew MacDonald, Lachlan Cuffe, Nick Buckley.

Best Friends (2)
Tries: Riley Wagner, Harry Clem.

Player of the Match: Lachlan Cuffe.
Best and fairest: Riley Wagner.

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Well done to our individual stat winners, plenty of whom played in their respective finals.

 

Awesome work by our LIVIN Try legends, Matt McIver and Eliza Mooney. A special mention goes to our division 2 legend (not pictured) Lindsay Blair.

Mixed Guys top 3 – Lincoln Redgen (12) Jake Harding (11)
Mixed Girls top 3 – Tammy Haydock (6), Brooke Ploughmann (6)
Division 2 top 3 – Flynn Chiem (13), Daniel Badewitz (12)

 

 

Great effort by our Range Brewing Assist Champions, Matt McIver, Riley Wagner and Ross Newton.

Division 1 top 3 – Antony Tatkovic (7), Isaac Toohey, Gerard Martin, Tom Primmer, Corey Smith (6).
Division 2 Top 3 – Drew MacDonald, Toby Burke, Derek Tham, Mitchell Burns (4).

 

 

 

Well done to our GYG Indooroopilly and Toowong 20/10 champs John Kerr and Corey Smith. A special mention to Slap Happy’s Aaron Frasier who kicked two 20/10s during finals.

 

 

 

 

Taringa Summer season team photos.
Autumn season kicks-off at Taringa on Tuesday February 25th. Register your team now!