Central Scorpions Touch Association
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Grand Final Match Reports
Welcome to the Scorps report,
Sunday February 26th was where 4 months of preparation would finally reap rewards for the Central Scorpions. Though trials were held back in November, and training sessions through December, the beginning of 2006 saw the beginning of the Arkaba State league, and finally, February would hold the grand finale of this competition. Central Scorpions efforts had been rewarded with all three teams represented, showing the strength this club has gained in the past few months.
How would they fare? Would they fall at the final hurdle? Would they repeat the Northern Vipers feat of Winter 2005 and take out all 3 divisions? Or would they falter, as Stingrays did, and lose the lot? Three lots of 40 minutes would decide.
It started with the mixed, who were very confident, having gone through the regular season undefeated. Their opponents were the South-West Wolves, who were riding high from an upset 4-3 win over Eastern Stingrays in the semi-final. The wolves spirit couldn't be questioned as they trailed 0-3 in that semi, before rallying to find themselves in the big game.
Wolves had a dream start, with a long-ball finding a speedy guy free on the left wing for an easy score in the opening set of six. Scorps kept their composure, and it wasn't long before Andrew Cherry managed to free himself down the right wing. When cover defense converged, he found Mark Williams in support, who ran the remaining 20 metres to tie the scores. Cherry would continue to create opportunities, however it would be Matt Schinckel who would make the next indent on the score-board. Wolves again scored from the re-start and the scores were again tied. With not long to go in the first half, Matt Schinckel wrapped close to the line, and ran a wide angle, when the winger attempted a shut-down, he found Karina McLauchlan free and gave her an uninterrupted run to score. Scorps 3-2. Wolves were beginning to tire, and more opportunities were being found. Dave Broderick dumping between two defenders, unfortunately Matt Schinckel failed to cleanly pick-up from half. Later Jo Fell ran in-goal from half, but her pass to Lucy Burke went to ground. Just before the siren sounded, Matt Schinckel defused a Wolves attack with an intercept. As he ran down-field, a Wolves defender stepped out of the sub-box and chased him down. While there is some conjecture as to whether a penalty touch-down should have been paid, the referees determined a penalty was sufficient. Half-time Scorps 3-2.
Scorps would need to re-focus in the second half, and only worry about things within their control. The best way to do that would be to score, and Mark Wood used his blistering speed to do just that a few seconds after the 2nd half tapped off. Some good team play put Scorps into good field position again and Paul Rogers found some space. When defense got close, he passed to Andrew Cherry who crossed in the corner. There was some deliberation between the referees, and eventually the referees took this one back, ruling a forward pass. Those who were anywhere near the Scorps sub-box would know what the normally quiet and reserved Paul thought of this. Not all was lost, however as Mark Williams crossed from short-range a few minutes later. Wolves replied to these three-straight touch-downs by getting one back, after Scorps seemed to lose focus. Normality was soon restored as Mark Williams completed his hat-trick, a long range half-run from Mark Wood lead to Carly Potter nabbing a grand final score, just beating the attention of Bec Thompson on Mark's other side. Wolves again posted a score as a shut-down failed, allowing a Wolves winger free. however Mark Wood would turn from playmaker into scorer, after combining with Shawn Garner for a clever score. Wolves player Gino Geracitano, who would later be awarded player of the final, grabbed a consolation score just before the siren sounded. Final Score Scorps 8-5, making Scorps Mixed the first Scorps team to go through a season undefeated.
Next up was the Scorps Womens team, having qualified for the Grand Final with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Eastern Stingrays in the Friday night semi. Key play-makers Amelia Kent and Jess Ryan were instrumental in this solid win, but would the edge be taken off them, needing to play two tough matches within 48 hours? Their opponents were the Northern Vipers, who had last tasted defeat back in round 1. These two teams met the previous Sunday where, after a slow start, Scorps ended-up going down by one touch-down.
The game began with an early touch-down to Vipers, however Amelia Kent took advantage of some sensational rucking to score within the next set of six. A second touch-down to Vipers followed. Lindy Foureur looked to have levelled scores again, however the final pass was ruled to have been propelled forward. Vipers held Scorps back on their line for the next few minutes, but would find no joy. It would be Amelia Kent who would crack the Vipers defense, as she dived over to draw Scorps level at 2-all. The remainder of the half was a tough affair, with neither team giving an inch to the other. During this period, it was the concerted efforts of Jess Ryan, Anna O'Brien, Nicole Treleaven and Emily Wray who held Scorps solid around the middle of the field. This was a tense period of the game, and any score before half-time would be crucial. However none eventuated as each time searched for a way to break the other. Half-time: 2-all.
Coach Gavin McDonald asked his players for one last effort for the season, while Captain Amelia Kent wanted the team to focus on driving the ball forward and working the Vipers defense. Vipers had the better of the opening stages, with two dangerous Vipers chances being turned away, firstly by Zoe Duffy, and the second after a deserate dive from Tessa Dignam. After this period, the game began to turn Scorps way. Alyse Palmer contunied on her excellent first half work and was beginning to really stretch the Vipers. Mel Johnson had a couple of chances in the corner, including one from a Jess Ryan half-run, however both were dis-allowed. It would be left to the ever-reliable Amelia Kent who would slice through the Vipers and sprint 20 metres to secure her hat-trick. Scorps with-held the Vipers in an important sign from the re-start and then tried to work over a tired Vipers defense. Working the ball out of their danger zone, A wide-running Lucy Alver drove the ball deep into the Vipers defense, and Amelia Kent took the huge half-run chance on offer to reach the in-goal. With the initial wave of support marked, Amelia eventually found an unmarked Mel Johnson to put Scorps up by 2. Vipers tried to bridge the gap, however Scorps defense remained true, and a second Central Scorpions title had been claimed. Full-time Scorps 4-2. Amelia Kent won the Best on Ground award for her efforts.
Time for the Mens final. Scorps had finished top of the ladder, while their opposition was decided in a semi-final on Friday. The Friday semi saw Eastern Stingrays play Northern Vipers, and in a tight match, Vipers managed a late game-breaker to prevail 3-2 and advance to the final.
Both teams started fairly evenly, but it would be Vipers who would have the first opportunity, with a long ball releasing a winger who out-ran the cover defense to touch-down. 0-1 to Vipers. Both the other Scorps grand final teams had conceded the first touch-down, so this wasn't a huge set-back. A Scorps error gave the ball to Vipers in reasonable position, and they made Scorps pay as a falling player managed a sensational pass from the ground to find a winger to make the score 0-2. A Vipers player then skillfully danced through the Scorps from close range. Simon Lemmo was cruelly adjudged to have interfered with a Vipers half and was penalised, giving Vipers a second set inside Scorps territory. ("He's been doing it all day, sir!") Some skillful Vipers quick-hands found a free winger who crossed to extend Vipers lead to 0-4 at the break. With not a lot of positives in the first half, the occasions where Scorps had controlled the ball had threatened the Vipers defense. Luke Thornton and Julian Costa's driving had gained many metres forward, while Gus Hanbrook, Nick Barron and Phil Carter had all shown creativity when in the attacking area. Scorps main worry was there hadn't been enough of these opportunities in the first half.
While a 4-0 deficit is a major one, especially at this level, it can be over-come. However a good start is vital. Scorps opened with the ball in the second half, and Brice Mitchell had a very close touch-down claim disallowed, being ruled to have been touched before grounding the ball. This was in contrast to the opposite end of the field where a Vipers touch-down was awarded, despite the pleas from Simon Lemmo. Vipers 0-5. Gus hanbrook was trying everything in his arsonal to try and kick-start some Scorps raids, however frustration was beginning to take it's toll as Scorps began to turn-over more ball. A wrap close to Scorps line paid dividends for Vipers as a low dive gave them touch-down number six. Travis Crawford created a few attacking chances, before Gus Hanbrook was able to reap some rewards for Scorps. He found a tumbling Anthony Hull on the wing with a great long ball to get Scorps underway, however Vipers returned to the scorers sheet soon after. Mens coach Nick Barron managed an acrobatic score, however he would turn hero to villain, as frustration lead to a verbal clash with referee Jon Hall, and he was banished for a period of time. With only a few minutes left to play, Vipers completed the rout as a 5-man Scorps defense was unable to contain an arcing run. That completed the scoring at 2-9 to Vipers.
While obviously disappointed at the loss, it must be remembered the Scorps Mens team overcame the loss of two key players from last season in Gavin McDonald and Glenn O'Davis, plus the mid-season departure of Ben Magi to still finish first after the regular season. Grand final day was unfortunately a day where nothing flowed their way.
That concludes the write-up section of this message. On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone in the club on being so approachable and friendly, making this club what it is, and it's the above success that flows from that. I would also like to thank all the coaches, Matt Schinckel (Head coach), Nick Barron and Ben Magi (Mens), Gavin McDonald (Womens)and Shawn Garner (Mixed), as well as their assistants for all the time they've put into preparing these squads.
Finally, I am in a unique position where I played with the mixed, managed the women and trained with the men, so I've has quite a lot to do with each of the three squads, and I couldn't imagine another region that has anywhere near the quality of people that Central Scorpions currently have, and that is a credit to all of you individually.
Thanks again for a successful season,
- Adam.
Sunday February 26th was where 4 months of preparation would finally reap rewards for the Central Scorpions. Though trials were held back in November, and training sessions through December, the beginning of 2006 saw the beginning of the Arkaba State league, and finally, February would hold the grand finale of this competition. Central Scorpions efforts had been rewarded with all three teams represented, showing the strength this club has gained in the past few months.
How would they fare? Would they fall at the final hurdle? Would they repeat the Northern Vipers feat of Winter 2005 and take out all 3 divisions? Or would they falter, as Stingrays did, and lose the lot? Three lots of 40 minutes would decide.
It started with the mixed, who were very confident, having gone through the regular season undefeated. Their opponents were the South-West Wolves, who were riding high from an upset 4-3 win over Eastern Stingrays in the semi-final. The wolves spirit couldn't be questioned as they trailed 0-3 in that semi, before rallying to find themselves in the big game.
Wolves had a dream start, with a long-ball finding a speedy guy free on the left wing for an easy score in the opening set of six. Scorps kept their composure, and it wasn't long before Andrew Cherry managed to free himself down the right wing. When cover defense converged, he found Mark Williams in support, who ran the remaining 20 metres to tie the scores. Cherry would continue to create opportunities, however it would be Matt Schinckel who would make the next indent on the score-board. Wolves again scored from the re-start and the scores were again tied. With not long to go in the first half, Matt Schinckel wrapped close to the line, and ran a wide angle, when the winger attempted a shut-down, he found Karina McLauchlan free and gave her an uninterrupted run to score. Scorps 3-2. Wolves were beginning to tire, and more opportunities were being found. Dave Broderick dumping between two defenders, unfortunately Matt Schinckel failed to cleanly pick-up from half. Later Jo Fell ran in-goal from half, but her pass to Lucy Burke went to ground. Just before the siren sounded, Matt Schinckel defused a Wolves attack with an intercept. As he ran down-field, a Wolves defender stepped out of the sub-box and chased him down. While there is some conjecture as to whether a penalty touch-down should have been paid, the referees determined a penalty was sufficient. Half-time Scorps 3-2.
Scorps would need to re-focus in the second half, and only worry about things within their control. The best way to do that would be to score, and Mark Wood used his blistering speed to do just that a few seconds after the 2nd half tapped off. Some good team play put Scorps into good field position again and Paul Rogers found some space. When defense got close, he passed to Andrew Cherry who crossed in the corner. There was some deliberation between the referees, and eventually the referees took this one back, ruling a forward pass. Those who were anywhere near the Scorps sub-box would know what the normally quiet and reserved Paul thought of this. Not all was lost, however as Mark Williams crossed from short-range a few minutes later. Wolves replied to these three-straight touch-downs by getting one back, after Scorps seemed to lose focus. Normality was soon restored as Mark Williams completed his hat-trick, a long range half-run from Mark Wood lead to Carly Potter nabbing a grand final score, just beating the attention of Bec Thompson on Mark's other side. Wolves again posted a score as a shut-down failed, allowing a Wolves winger free. however Mark Wood would turn from playmaker into scorer, after combining with Shawn Garner for a clever score. Wolves player Gino Geracitano, who would later be awarded player of the final, grabbed a consolation score just before the siren sounded. Final Score Scorps 8-5, making Scorps Mixed the first Scorps team to go through a season undefeated.
Next up was the Scorps Womens team, having qualified for the Grand Final with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Eastern Stingrays in the Friday night semi. Key play-makers Amelia Kent and Jess Ryan were instrumental in this solid win, but would the edge be taken off them, needing to play two tough matches within 48 hours? Their opponents were the Northern Vipers, who had last tasted defeat back in round 1. These two teams met the previous Sunday where, after a slow start, Scorps ended-up going down by one touch-down.
The game began with an early touch-down to Vipers, however Amelia Kent took advantage of some sensational rucking to score within the next set of six. A second touch-down to Vipers followed. Lindy Foureur looked to have levelled scores again, however the final pass was ruled to have been propelled forward. Vipers held Scorps back on their line for the next few minutes, but would find no joy. It would be Amelia Kent who would crack the Vipers defense, as she dived over to draw Scorps level at 2-all. The remainder of the half was a tough affair, with neither team giving an inch to the other. During this period, it was the concerted efforts of Jess Ryan, Anna O'Brien, Nicole Treleaven and Emily Wray who held Scorps solid around the middle of the field. This was a tense period of the game, and any score before half-time would be crucial. However none eventuated as each time searched for a way to break the other. Half-time: 2-all.
Coach Gavin McDonald asked his players for one last effort for the season, while Captain Amelia Kent wanted the team to focus on driving the ball forward and working the Vipers defense. Vipers had the better of the opening stages, with two dangerous Vipers chances being turned away, firstly by Zoe Duffy, and the second after a deserate dive from Tessa Dignam. After this period, the game began to turn Scorps way. Alyse Palmer contunied on her excellent first half work and was beginning to really stretch the Vipers. Mel Johnson had a couple of chances in the corner, including one from a Jess Ryan half-run, however both were dis-allowed. It would be left to the ever-reliable Amelia Kent who would slice through the Vipers and sprint 20 metres to secure her hat-trick. Scorps with-held the Vipers in an important sign from the re-start and then tried to work over a tired Vipers defense. Working the ball out of their danger zone, A wide-running Lucy Alver drove the ball deep into the Vipers defense, and Amelia Kent took the huge half-run chance on offer to reach the in-goal. With the initial wave of support marked, Amelia eventually found an unmarked Mel Johnson to put Scorps up by 2. Vipers tried to bridge the gap, however Scorps defense remained true, and a second Central Scorpions title had been claimed. Full-time Scorps 4-2. Amelia Kent won the Best on Ground award for her efforts.
Time for the Mens final. Scorps had finished top of the ladder, while their opposition was decided in a semi-final on Friday. The Friday semi saw Eastern Stingrays play Northern Vipers, and in a tight match, Vipers managed a late game-breaker to prevail 3-2 and advance to the final.
Both teams started fairly evenly, but it would be Vipers who would have the first opportunity, with a long ball releasing a winger who out-ran the cover defense to touch-down. 0-1 to Vipers. Both the other Scorps grand final teams had conceded the first touch-down, so this wasn't a huge set-back. A Scorps error gave the ball to Vipers in reasonable position, and they made Scorps pay as a falling player managed a sensational pass from the ground to find a winger to make the score 0-2. A Vipers player then skillfully danced through the Scorps from close range. Simon Lemmo was cruelly adjudged to have interfered with a Vipers half and was penalised, giving Vipers a second set inside Scorps territory. ("He's been doing it all day, sir!") Some skillful Vipers quick-hands found a free winger who crossed to extend Vipers lead to 0-4 at the break. With not a lot of positives in the first half, the occasions where Scorps had controlled the ball had threatened the Vipers defense. Luke Thornton and Julian Costa's driving had gained many metres forward, while Gus Hanbrook, Nick Barron and Phil Carter had all shown creativity when in the attacking area. Scorps main worry was there hadn't been enough of these opportunities in the first half.
While a 4-0 deficit is a major one, especially at this level, it can be over-come. However a good start is vital. Scorps opened with the ball in the second half, and Brice Mitchell had a very close touch-down claim disallowed, being ruled to have been touched before grounding the ball. This was in contrast to the opposite end of the field where a Vipers touch-down was awarded, despite the pleas from Simon Lemmo. Vipers 0-5. Gus hanbrook was trying everything in his arsonal to try and kick-start some Scorps raids, however frustration was beginning to take it's toll as Scorps began to turn-over more ball. A wrap close to Scorps line paid dividends for Vipers as a low dive gave them touch-down number six. Travis Crawford created a few attacking chances, before Gus Hanbrook was able to reap some rewards for Scorps. He found a tumbling Anthony Hull on the wing with a great long ball to get Scorps underway, however Vipers returned to the scorers sheet soon after. Mens coach Nick Barron managed an acrobatic score, however he would turn hero to villain, as frustration lead to a verbal clash with referee Jon Hall, and he was banished for a period of time. With only a few minutes left to play, Vipers completed the rout as a 5-man Scorps defense was unable to contain an arcing run. That completed the scoring at 2-9 to Vipers.
While obviously disappointed at the loss, it must be remembered the Scorps Mens team overcame the loss of two key players from last season in Gavin McDonald and Glenn O'Davis, plus the mid-season departure of Ben Magi to still finish first after the regular season. Grand final day was unfortunately a day where nothing flowed their way.
That concludes the write-up section of this message. On a personal note, I would like to thank everyone in the club on being so approachable and friendly, making this club what it is, and it's the above success that flows from that. I would also like to thank all the coaches, Matt Schinckel (Head coach), Nick Barron and Ben Magi (Mens), Gavin McDonald (Womens)and Shawn Garner (Mixed), as well as their assistants for all the time they've put into preparing these squads.
Finally, I am in a unique position where I played with the mixed, managed the women and trained with the men, so I've has quite a lot to do with each of the three squads, and I couldn't imagine another region that has anywhere near the quality of people that Central Scorpions currently have, and that is a credit to all of you individually.
Thanks again for a successful season,
- Adam.
