National Touch League
FINAL WRAP UP |
| Tuesday 16th March The final day of competition for the Open and 20 years divisions at the National Touch League competition in Coffs Harbour, was a Queensland affair. With 5 grand final titles on offer and the number of potential winners split evenly between NSW and Qld permits, everyone was excited about the afternoon's competition. Around 3000 players, officials and spectators converged in Coffs Harbour International Sports Stadium and were privileged to see World Class touch football and the induction of three Australian touch football legends into the Touch Hall of Fame. · Peter McNeven was inducted for his contribution as a State and Australian Manger and Coach over the last 21 years. · Rick Borg was inducted for his contribution as a referee over the last 12 years and has been regarded as the World Number 1 referee for the past eight years. · Peter Bell was inducted for his work as a player and coach at State and National level, as well as his tireless effort to establish touch as one of the most popular sports in Queensland schools. Thankfully, the rain had cleared away and the mud paddocks dried out in time for some top glass grand final exhibitions. Womens 20 years: The Womens 20 years was the first grand final of the day and it was a great way to kick things off. The Southern Suns must be congratulated in reaching the grand final, especially after their last place finish at the 2003 NTL's. While they did put up a strong fight, the Gold Coast Sharks were too strong in the end, with five individual scorers. Congratulations to `Player of the Final' Melissa Tyack from the Gold Coast Sharks and `Player of the Series', from the Southern Suns, Nicole Beck, a current member of the Australian 16 years team who just toured New Zealand. Mens 20 years: The Sydney Mets, last year's runners-up in the Mens 20 years competition, were determined to redeem themselves in this year's grand final. And redeem themselves they did, defeating the Southern Suns 4-0. The Southern Suns need to be congratulated again for their performance, finishing second after a sixth place finish last year. Dylan Hennessey and Mark Kovacic, who have both represented Australia at Under 18 level, were instrumental for the Mets with Mark Kovacic being awarded `Player of the Final'. Chris Rawlinson from the Southern Suns was awarded `Player of the Series' after his performance this week. Mixed Open: The Sydney Mets were the title favourites all week and did not disappoint in their final against the Gold Coast Sharks this afternoon. Sara Hamilton starred for the Mets with three touchdowns, while `Player of the Series', Matty Mataio also scored twice. For Mets Captain and Australian Mixed Open Captain, Tony El-Takchi, the win was his fifth NTL title in seven years. "This was certainly the toughest title, the Sharks pushed us all the way", he said. "We've got to give them credit, they played really well all week. Congratulations to our guys too though, we've had a good week and we had to work hard for this." Womens Open: An extremely close final was predicted between these two Queensland sides, after an earlier pool match in which the result was 2-1 in the Gold Coast Sharks favour. The Women didn't let the large crowd of supporters down, with another 2-1 result and another win to the Gold Coast Sharks. The Shark's Halley McAnelley scored the only touchdown of the first half, and with just four minutes to go it appeared as though that score would seal the win. With four minutes to go Delwyn Tupuhi hit back for the Cobras after a great long pass. An extra time drop-off looked likely until with just one minute to go Roxy Winder made a diving touchdown to win the game for the Sharks. Mens Open: Last year's runners-up, the Sydney Mets, were keen to reverse the result today. While they lost last year to the Benji Marshall led Gold Coast Sharks, the situation this year was much different. Benji is busy playing for Wests Tigers in the NRL and the Mets finished the Sharks off in the semi-final. The Brisbane City Cobras were more than capable opposition however and the teams traded touchdowns for the entire game, with the final 5-4 scoreline showing how close the match was. Adrian Tan and Daniel Rushworth both scored two touchdowns for the Mets, while Australian Grand Final results: Womens 20 years: Gold Coast Sharks def Southern Suns: 5-2 Player of the Final: Melissa Tyack- Gold Coast Sharks Player of the Series: Nicole Beck- Southern Suns Mens 20 years: Sydney Mets def Southern Suns: 4-0 Player of the Final: Mark Kovacic- Sydney Mets Player of the Series: Chris Rawlinson- Southern Suns Mixed Open: Sydney Mets defeated Gold Coast Sharks: 8-3 Player of the Final (male & female): Jason Stanton- Sydney Mets and Amy Fong (Gold Coast Sharks) Player of the Series (male and female): Matty Mataio- Sydney Mets and Amy Fong (Gold Coast Sharks) Womens Open: Gold Coast Sharks def Brisbane City Cobras: 2-1 Player of the Final: Tenna Mcilveen- Gold Coast Sharks Player of the Series: Lousie Winchester- Sydney Mets Mens Open: Sydney Mets def Brisbane City Cobras: 5-4 Player of the Final: Jason Yee- Sydney Mets Player of the Series: Ashley Farrow- Sunshine Coast Razorbacks Asics `Fair Play' Awards: Chris Rawlinson- Southern Suns Kate Barker- Brisbane City Cobras Tony Holznagel- Sunshine Coast Razorbacks Kylie Glasson- Gold Coast Sharks For more information please contact: Rachel Moyle- Australian Touch Association Media Officer (ph) 042 223 3165 |
