| The 1998 tournament was staged in
Coffs Harbour from 10th- 17th of October. The national touch league
separates Australia’s vast pool of representative talent into 12 regional sides. The 1998 event was expanded to include a number of senior divisions
including the Mens o30s, o35s, o40s, o45s and womens o30s and o35s. In all the 6 day
tournament played host to 116 teams all over 2500 players and officials.
Tournament director John Pratt commented on the improvement
in the standard of play.
"It’s good to see the level of improvement from
one year to the next. The NTL is giving many teams that wouldn’t ordinarily get this
level of competition an opportunity to play with the big boys and it’s doing wonders
for their experience and confidence".
"I think the NTL is a great concept for the teams and
it’ll only get stronger. There’s just a good feeling amongst the players who
really seem to enjoy the standard of competition."
Indeed the local Coffs Harbour council has been similarly
impressed with the tournament and it’s economic benefits and they have pitched for a
long-term association with the tournament.
"It’s very encouraging to see the level of
support we are receiving from the local business and tourism sectors," explaining
Bill Ker, Chief Executive officer of the Australian touch Association.
"Coffs Harbour recognise the benefits this tournament
brings to the local community."
Much in the same way that the NSW state cup has found a
home in Port Macquarie, the NTL has found a home in Coffs Harbour. With it’s
spectacular beaches, hotels, scenery and superb playing facilities Coffs Harbour has
plenty to offer.
"It’s a great location and a really good
tournament for the players," said Sydney scorpions player Mark Boland after his mens
final MVP award. "the players have definitely accepted the concept and I think
it’ll continue to grow. I really enjoy playing here."
Apart from the NBN. WIN and Optus coverage this year’s
national touch league finals have also been broadcast nationally on the ABC which is
another huge coup for the tournament and the sport of touch.
While the last two NTL’s have been staged in October,
future tournaments will be moved to a March time slot to accommodate a busy tournament
calendar.
An interesting NTL trend has been the large number of
Queensland versus NSW permit holder final match-ups which is certainly helping to bring
the best out of the players.
MIXED FINAL The Sydney scorpions always had the measure of
the Gold Coast sharks in the mixed final, despite a one-point win. The scorpions carried
on from there 4-2 half time lead to win 6-5 in an entertaining, high scoring game.
Scorpion’s [player, Dean Murphy had an excellent game
and was always a handful scoring two touchdowns in his most valuable player performance.
WOMENS FINAL the Gold Coast sharks came into the
Women’s final unbeaten after 6 games and confident of a win. The Sydney Mets on the
other hand lost one game to the Sydney Rebels and had a nerve-racking one point win over
last year’s winners, the Brisbane Cobras in the semi final.
After a tentative start before a 3000 strong crowd the Mets
took a solid 2-1 lead to the break after touchdowns to Sloane Whitemen and Nadina Bambury.
A quick dump, scoop and pass early in the second half by Giselle Tirado saw the Mets
Stretch the lead to 3-1 which was enough to get them home. The 3-1 win was especially
sweet for the Sydney Mets after losing last years final to the cobras. The Mets Amanda
Judd was a worthy recipient of the most Valuable player award.
MENS FINAL The men’s final featured another NSW verses
Queensland clash with the Sydney scorpions up against the Sunwest Razorbacks. In one of
the best games of the tournament the scorpions just got up in the semi final beating the
Brisbane Cobras 4-3 in a classic encounter.
The razorbacks came into the final with some indifferent
form. After 11-4 loss to the Cobras in the last round, few gave them a chance of taking
the title. However they returned to form with a solid 8-4 win over a much improved
Crusaders side in the semi final.
Both teams started the final at full throttle. Six a side
at this level is played at an incredible pace and the transitions from the bench were fast
and furious.
The scorpions soon began to dominate territory with better
ball control and movement. It wasn’t long before Robert smith scored after a clever
switch with Jason Zabielo close to the line.
It was Jason Zabielo again who set up the second touchdown
after a brilliant step to put Adam Fahim over in the corner taking the scorer to 2-0.
It was only a signature score by Scott Notley late in the
half that kept the Razorbacks in the game. While the Razorbacks were still smarting over
what looked to be a very dubious touchdown, the Scorpions were in again with Adam Lollback
advancing the score to 3-1 just minutes before the break.
Six minutes into the second half the Razorbacks, Neil ward
took a brilliant reflex intercept against the run of play to narrow the scores to 3-2.
Then it was another piece of individual brilliance by Gavin Mcdonald who dummied his way
over to level the scores at 3 each. All of a sudden the Razorbacks were back in the game
with momentum and territory swinging their way.
The teams slugged it out to full time finishing all square
at 3 a piece. Drop-offs are what we all come to see and what a fitting way to final such a
wonderful tournament. After 3 days of competition and such a fast final the drop-off was
going to be a real test of endurance for both teams.
The teams immediately returned with five players. The
scorpions were favoured by a mountain of possession and the razorbacks were forced to
desperately defend their line. Finally it was down to a four on four situation when the
veteran Scott Notley was matched up with the fresh legs of Shane Frederikson. Frederikson
seized the opportunity, getting on Notley’s outside before throwing a wide ball to
winger Glen Fitzgerald who divided for the corner to score. In the end it was a sheer
weight of possession that got the scorpions home.
The Scorpions successfully defended their title with an
exhausted yet delighted Mark Boland collecting the Most Valuable Player award. |
