LEETON Touch Association’s men’s and women’s divisions concluded on Monday evening with three high-quality grand finals.
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Vying for the trophy in the men’s A grade were NADS, a predominantly youthful team of players from Yanco Agricultural High School supported by a couple of more senior players, and their opposition, Wade Hotel, an experienced team that has been a dominant feature of the last three grand finals.
At the seven minute mark, it was NADS who scored the first touchdown when Darcy Booth crossed the line. Wade Hotel stepped up the intensity, but NADS seemed to be weathering the storm fairly well.
With two minutes before the half-time siren, Wade Hotel’s Brad Woolner delivered a short ball to Ben Evans, who dived over the line to level the game.
NADS hit the lead in the second half, with Darcy again the scorer.
Both teams continued to fight for field position. Wade Hotel’s Dom Giorgi showed why he is one of the best players and offloaded to Woolner to level.
Clinton Green put NADS back in the lead.
Another minute later Jock Ward secured the win for NADS as he stepped, weaved, and dived. NADS claimed the victory 4-2.
The women’s competition decider was between Leeton Soldiers Club and Retro Active.
LSC drove the ball hard up the centre and Louise Strachan continued the pace and scored. Strachan, notched her second soon after.
LSC spread the ball wide and Strachan secured her hat-trick before going on to score her fourth.
Retro Active were not giving up easily when Stephanie Scott got them on the board.
LSC then stretched the lead going into half time as Kelly Pauls delivered a ball to put Libby Gillespie over the line.
Retro Active lifted in the second, but a quick change of possession and Brooke Gilmour scored for LSC.She scored her second shortly after.
Scott received a pass from Madeline Warburton and Retro Active now trailed 7-2. LSC continued well, with Gilmour making a hat-trick. In the final minutes Warburton crossed the line twice for Retro Active. Gillespie scored again for LSC before the buzzer and her team claimed the title 9-4.
In men’s B grade The Cobras battled with Classic XI. Both teams had been ladder leaders and the final started with an early touchdown to Classic XI’s Hainsworth Cock. The youthfulness their team settle quicker and find an early rhythm. Minutes later, Jacob Chant took Classic XI out to a 2-0 lead.
The Cobras rallied and put Brandon Emerson across the line for their first. Brendan Corney followed shortly after. The team continued to build momentum and Emerson scored his second. Only moments before half-time Bart Challacombe took the Cobras to a 4-2 lead.
Jade Hart scored first for the Cobras after the break, but Classic XI responded through Hainsworth. The Cobras went on to claim the win 6-3.