Laurie Smyth
Sale Touch competition’s A Division elimination finals were held last Wednesday night, resulting in Nagle and Longford Trailer Hire playing off in tomorrow night’s A division grand final.
Longford Trailer Hire, the minor premier, defeated fourth-placed Pink Panthers by just one try in the last minute of the game.
At half time, the Panthers led with two tries to one, and in the second half Longford added four tries to two.
The Panthers’ Ben Skuce made the first try of the game, while Longford’s Michael Hinchcliffe made the last — giving Longford the win.
The game was an even contest, with each team defending and restricting the trying opportunities of the opposition.
Longford finished with five tries made by individual players: Kye Hinchcliffe, Michael Hinchcliffe, Kobi Laudani, Rhiannon Massey and Brodie Towers.
Daniel Barclay and Ben Skuce each made two for the Panthers.
Best players were Brodie Towers, Brysen Nottle, Ben Skuce, Rhiannon Massey and Emma Deanne with 14-year-old Kye Hinchcliffe winning the encouragement award.
The second elimination final was between Nagle and Mustangs.
At the half time break, it looked as though the game could have gone either way as Nagle led with four tries to three, however in the second half Nagle added four more to just the one — with the final score eight to four.
Nagle’s try-scoring machine, Kyle Grummisch, was kept to just the one try but was instrumental in creating opportunities for his teammates.
The game was extremely fast — perhaps a little too fast, as in first half, players from both teams lost opportunities because of the wet and slippery conditions.
Mason Annear played a great game, making one try in the first half and three in the second half.
Isla McCarthy made two, with one each to Jackson Annear and Grummisch.
Ryan Rosenberger sprinted 50 metres to run down Grummisch, stopping the Nagle speedster from scoring.
Both these players would be their respective team’s fastest.
Ryan finished with three tries for the Mustangs.
Jake Bartholomeus made one.
Best players were Oscar Crunden Smith, Ryan Rosenberger, Mason Annear, Isla McCarthy and Nicola Rosenberger, with Jessica McGovern winning the encouragement award.
Tomorrow night, both A and B Division grand finals will be played from 6.30pm.
Presentation night will be held in the Sale City social rooms immediately following the games.
In B division, Phoenix/CAT’s will play Porky’s (referee Mustangs).
