Touch champions crowned

The Marlborough touch season ended on a high note last week with a series of enthralling and all-action finals.

On Wednesday afternoon the mixed grade deciders were contested.

Harry McKenzie runs the ball up with Todd Nicholas at his shoulder.

The Mixed 1 grade final was a cracker, eventually won by Vipers, who downed 7201 7-6 in what was described as a “super, intense” decider.

With the scores being level 5-5 at fulltime the match went into a drop-off scenario. With each side reduced to four players, 7201 scored only for Vipers to touch down immediately after, all within the initial two-minute drop-off period.

The victorious MGC team stayed to watch the men's final.

For the final golden point period of extra time each side fielded just three players and it was Vipers who struck first, claiming the match-winner with some slick work.

The Mixed 2 final was won by Hamburger$, 4-3 over FYT. In the Mixed 3 decider Wu Tag Clan beat Mixed Bits 11-3, while Blue Ballers prevailed 11-5 over Central Whānau to take third place.

Tasman Mako hooker Quentin MacDonald fires off a pass as the Vipers go on attack.

In the Mixed 4 final The Kings Touch downed Saint Clair SuperSonics 6-5 while Team Kairos won 5-4 over Pinecones to clinch third spot.

On Thursday the men’s and women’s finals were decided.

Both top grade clashes featured a Vipers team against College opponents.

The Men’s 1 grade turned into a battle royal, favourite Vipers eventually getting the job done 8-7 against a slick Marlborough Boys’ College combination led by Nikau Peipi, Jake Pacey and Hugh Robinson. Vipers relied on the skills and experience of Todd Nicholas, Quentin MacDonald, Dave Fotu and Vili Taufa.

The Women’s 1 final was more clear-cut, Marlborough Girls’ College turning the tables on the Vipers combination to prevail 6-2.

Prominent for MGC were Eleri James-Sitters, Stormy Tupara, Anika Moetaua and Issy Tupouto’a. Franki Paulo, Katie Bradley and Laura-Kate Morgan stood out for Vipers.

The Men’s 2 section A decider was won 9-8 by See You On The Five, while Grizzlies accounted for Cobras 9-4 in the play-off for third and fourth.

Men’s 2 section B was won by Boners, 6-4 over Blue Ballers.

In the Men’s 3 final Simcox downed Lazy D 6-5, with Grovetown Country Hotel Rhinos beating Unevolved 4-1 for third.

The Social Men’s grade was taken out by

Usual Suspects, who overcame MVM 6-3. Crowknees took third over Touch & Go, winning 6-2.