FINALS SUMMARY
It’s grand final day here in Coffs Harbour and the atmosphere is electric as the best young Touch players fight it out for the Championship title.
Players and spectators alike are awaiting the return of the Celebrity match at 1.50pm. Rumours are circulating about who will take the field for the Celebrities so stay tuned!
Here you will find a summary of all the quarter finals, semi-finals and play offs in the Men’s and Women’s Championship, Shield and Plate divisions.
This will be updated regularly throughout the final day of competition.
MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION (POSITION 1-8):
The Sydney Mets became the first team through to the semi finals yesterday dominating Central Queensland 12-3. They will go on to play QSST in the semi-final after they eliminated SunCoast with a 9-5 victory.
The second semi-final will be a replay of last year’s grand final when the Southern Suns take on NSWCHS. The Suns played the Brisbane City Cobras in their quarter final and with the score at 5-4 to the Suns at half time is looked like it might be a close one. But the Suns increased the intensity in the second half, eventually winning 9-6.
NSWCHS outclassed NSWCCC in their quarter, winning 7-3. The Kennedy twins once again leading their team to victory.
It will be an all NSW grand final in the Men’s after both NSWCHS and Sydney Mets were successful in their semi-final matches, beating the Southern Suns and QSST respectively.
The Suns failed to adequately drive the ball and mistakes were costly in their match against NSWCHS. The first half was close, with NSWCHS leading just 2-1 going into half time. But NSWCHS dominated in the second half, winning 10-5.
The Sydney Mets are looking good heading into the final, displaying one of the best lines of defence we have seen this week. They demolished QSST 11-6.
NSWCCC and SunCoast played off for positions five and six, with SunCoast successful 9-4.
QSST have finished 3rd in 2006 after defeating the Suns 6-4.
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION: (POSITION 1-8)
The margins were surprisingly large in the quarter finals matches, defending Champions NSWCHS cruised through to a semi-final berth against SQBD after they beat SunCoast 8-2.
Also cruising through their quarter final was QSST, who had a fiery encounter with NSWCCC. The game became quite heated as a player from each side was sent for a period of time.
They will now go up against the Suns who were tested for the first time this week in their quarter final against the Cobras. With the scores locked at 2-all going into half time, Cobras looked set to cause an upset, but the Suns lifted to win, 6-4.
The Suns and SQBD are out of contention for the Women’s title after losses to QSST and NSWCHS respectively.
The Suns never seemed to be in their match against QSST, the heartbreaking loss their first of the tournament. With QSST up 2-0 at half time, the Suns couldn’t compete with their superior ball movement and structured play. The final score was 5-0.
SQBD were unlucky in their game against NSWCHS. They started well with the score at half time 2-1 to NSWCHS. The final scoreline wasn’t a true indication of the closeness of the two teams, with NSWCHS winning 6-2.
North Queensland have finished 5th in the Women’s division after a 9-5 win over Cobras.
SunCoast have finished 7th after a solid 7-4 win over NSWCCC.
SQBD have finished 3rd with a narrow 3-1 defeat of the Suns.
MEN’S SHIELD DIVISION (POSITION 9-14):
SWQ and SQBD fought in out in the first quarter final of the Shield series. SWQ were victorious 9-6 and will now go on to play the 9th placed North Queensland.
The ACT triumphed over the Northern Eagles for the second time this tournament beating them 6-5. They will go on to play the Hunter-Western Hornets in the second semi-final.
North Queensland thrashed South West Queensland in their Shield semi-final, 15-3.
They will now face off against the Hornets who beat the ACT, 6-3. Up 2-1 at half time, the Hornets gained confidence and ran away with it in the end.
The Northern Eagles have finished in 13th position for 2006 after defeating SQBD 7-2.
The ACT has finished in 10th place in the Men’s division after a solid 8-3 win over SWQ.
North Queensland are the winners of the Men’s Shield final after defeating Hornets, 11-5.
WOMEN’S SHIELD DIVISION (POSITION 9-14):
The Hornets fought hard to defeat the Sydney Rebels 6-3, securing themselves a semi finals match against the Scorpions who finished in 9th position.
In a close match, the Sydney Mets and the Eagles battled it out for a chance to play NSWCIS in the semi final. With the Eagles leading 3-1 going into half time, the Mets looked to be eliminated. But they lifted in attack and defence to win 7-6.
The Hornets defeated the Scorpions 3-2 in what was a close match, they will now go through to the final against NSWCIS who recorded a strong win against the Sydney Mets.
The Mets and the Scorpions will now play off for positions 11 and 12.
The Northern Eagles have finished in 13th position after the Sydney Rebels forfeited their match.
Scorpions have finished 11th in the Women’s division, beating Sydney Mets 6-3.
NSWCIS have claimed the Women’s Shield title after defeating the Hornets 7-2. NSWCIS have shown great improvement over the past couple of years and that talent was on display today.
MEN’S PLATE DIVISION (POSITION 15-19):
NT and NSWCIS finished in 16th and 17th position respectively earning themselves a place in the second semi-final in the Plate series.
Tasmania and the Crusaders played off for a chance to play the Scorpions in the other semi-final, and with the scores locked at 1-1 going into the half time break, it was going to be a close one. Tasmania were eventual winners, 3-1.
NSWCIS cruised through to the final of the Plate division with a 10-4 defeat of NT.
They will be joined in the final by the Sydney Scorpions after they had a 4-2 victory over Tasmania.
Central Queensland made a great comeback against Cobras to finish 7th. They were down at half time, 7-2 and they came back, scoring some fantastic touchdowns in the second half to win 9-8.
Tasmania has finished 17th and NT has finished 18th after their match today.
The Men’s Plate final was an exciting match, with the scores even at 6-all at full time between the Scorpions and NSWCIS. It was down to three players on three and the NSWCIS crossed the line to take the Plate 7-6.
WOMEN’S PLATE DIVISION (POSITION 15-19):
The ACT and NT earned their spot in the second semi-final after finishing 16th and 17th.
Once again, Crusaders and Tasmania played off for a semi final spot, this time to face Central Queensland.
Tasmania won the match and held the Crusaders scoreless with a 2-0 scoreline.
CQ breezed through their semi-final match against Tasmania, winning 7-0 and will now play off against NT in the final.
CQ breezed through the Plate final to win against NT 9-0.
NT certainly earnt their way into the final of the Plate after an emotional win against the ACT. ACT were up 2-0 going into half time, but a courageous second half saw the score at 4-all at the end of 40 minutes.
Within two minutes NT had crossed the line, with the final scoreline being 5-4.
The ACT and Tasmania will play off for positions 17 and 18.
In their second drop-off for the day the ACT Women’s team were unlucky to go down 4-3 to Tasmania.
FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND STORIES:
www.austouch.com.au has all the latest news and stories, as well as a photo gallery and match reports.
FOR ALL THE LATEST DRAWS AND RESULTS:
The SportingPulse has the draws, results and touchdown scorers for all matches and can be accessed using the following link <//a>
