Tonight saw 10 teams battle it out for the final 5 places in the Grand Finals. Three of the matches saw runaway 13-8 victories to the Pumas, Pains and Chisholm, but the other two, at opposite ends in divisions 1 and 5, finished at 12 all and went to playoffs.
The Matildas fought out a great game with the Embalmers, but the Embalmers proved too strong in the playoff, winning 3-0 to create a second straight 1st division Grand Final against the Hammerheads.
The Rail Runners and the Gremlins toughed it out at 3-3, 6-6, 9-9 and 12-12 at the end of each round, but the Rail Runners won three straight frames after sitting one nil down in the playoff.
Congratulations to the Matildas, Runouts, Pirates (aargh), Dubber Ruckies and Gremlins on great seasons. With one of the two grand finalists moving up a division next season, a spot in the decider is yours for the taking.
Of course, congratulations to all 10 Grand Finalists, I wish you the best of luck next week. To borrow a quote from the great NFL coach Vince Lombardi, “If winning isn’t everything, then why do they keep score?”
As well as an all- Fyshwick Tavern match in division 1, division 3 sees both Wests teams battle it out. 2nd and 4th divisions both see the top two teams of the regular season square off. Division 5 will also prove to be a great one, with two of the old hands of ACTEBA, Blackie and Dice, aiming to embarrass the other.
Below are the results from tonight’s Preliminary Finals, followed by the draw and venues for the Grand Finals. If you’re like me and feeling lost on a Wednesday night now, come along to a match and support the teams and venues who donate their establishment each week for us.
1st Div
Fyshwick Tavern Embalmers def Labor Club Matildas 15 – 12
2nd Div
Chisholm Tavern def Lakeview Runouts 13 – 8
3rd Div
Wests Pumas def Southern Cross Pirates 13 – 5
4th Div
Ainslie Pains def Coolabar Dubber Ruckies 13 – 8
5th Div
Wanniassa Rail Runners def Ojo’s Gremlins 15 – 13
