Well, the Seniors have kicked off in Coffs and already the competition has been strong. The hot weather has turned up for the Seniors following the rain that hampered the Opens and 20's finals day.

The big difference between the Opens and the Seniors is the family atmosphere that is at the event from day one. At the Opens there are always families and kids that arrive, mostly for the finals days, but at the Seniors they're everywhere. In the stands, next to the fields, with one parent while the other plays, coaches or manages. It's great to see and it's great for the future of the sport.

It's also great to see so many legends running around the fields, whether they be ex-Aussie representatives pulling on the boots again, coaches and administrators getting into the thick of things, ex-NRL stars keeping up with fitness and competition and family combinations that have been around for years.

Here's a short summary of all of the days action:

MENS 30's:
The Mens 30's is no doubt the `most watched' division of the Seniors tournament. The usual suspects, the Sydney Mets, Scorpions and South Queensland Sharks are already standing out in the crowd, looking tough and their round matches tomorrow will no doubt give us a good idea of which team may take out the title.

The Mets are defending Champions, with several of their players crossing over from the Mens Open earlier in the week. Their Mens Open were knocked out in their quarter final this year so will probably be extra keen to take home the Mens 30's division.

MENS 35's:
It looks like it will be a clash of the Sydney titans in the Mens 35's, with the Sydney Mets and Sydney Scorpions sitting on top of the day one ladder, both with three wins. The tip around the grounds though it to keep an eye out for the Southern Suns, with winger Mark Bell, ex St George/Canberra league representative, who was impressive scoring several times for the Suns on day one. His sheer speed and size is awesome. The Suns are looking like they have more than just a chance.

The Sydney Scorpions are looking strong though, their 14-1 victory over the Rustlers was a great exhibition of Touch Football.

MENS 40's:
The Mens 40's had a tough first day, three matches in the hottest day of the 2005 NTL so far. The Northern Eagles are on track to defend their title, three wins in their three matches, while the South Queensland Sharks and Southern Suns are also undefeated.

The Scorpions suffered a 9-7 loss to the Sharks, but still look to be a strong side capable of stepping up come finals time.

With a lot of close matches in this division, it once again looks as though several teams are capable of taking any match on their day.

MENS 45's:
The Mens 45's also found themselves playing three games today, with the Brisbane City Cobras and Sydney Mets coming out on top with three wins each.

The Cobras were extremely impressive, scoring a massive 21 touchdowns and amazingly allowing none to be scored against them. Their biggest win a 10-0 thumping of South Queensland rivals, the Sharks.

In the Mens 45's match of the day, it was the Rustlers who narrowly defeated the ACT 4-3, scoring on the last play of the match, with a length of the field try dodging two defenders, after the siren had blown. It was one to see!

MENS 50's:
The oldest of our seniors kicked off their division, with the Sydney Mets immediately looking dominant, a 12-0 win over the Brisbane City Cobras and a 3-1 win over the Northern Eagles leaving them on top of the ladder.

The Hunter Western Hornets are the only other undefeated side in the division, with only two matches played and with eight teams in the division, it is sure to be an even competition, especially as the heat and matches start to take their toll.

WOMENS 30's:
The Crusaders Womens 30's are a side to watch in this division, they have a lot of experience and a number of them have been playing together at the NTL's for many years. Sitting on top of the ladder after two rounds, they had a tough 4-2 win over the Southern Suns and a comfortable 9-0 win over the North Queensland Cyclones. Lisa Mahony scored three times for the Crusaders in their second win.

The games in this division have generally been close though, with many games in the first two rounds decided by just one touchdown, this will definitely be a pool to keep your eyes on!

WOMENS 35's:
The Womens 35's already looks like it will be the closest fought of the Womens divisions, with the Sharks sitting on top of the ladder after two rounds. While they sit on top however, they have recorded a draw against the Southern Suns, who sit on 5th, showing just how close this division is already!

With only five teams in the division every game matters, as they no doubt don't want to be the side that misses out on the semi finals.

The round of the day was definitely the second, with the Suns and Sharks drawing 2-2 and the Rustlers beating the Cyclones 3-2.

WOMENS 40's:
The Northern Eagles have no doubt come to the 2005 NTL keen to reverse their grand final disappointment of 2004. Finishing runner up to the Sydney Scorpions in 2004 after winning in 2003, they want to be number one again no doubt. A 5-1 win over the Cyclones and a 7-2 win over the Rustlers was a great start.

The Sydney Scorpions are the defending Champions and recorded a comfortable 5-2 win over the Hornets as well as 2-2 draw with the North Queensland Cyclones.



By Rachel Moyle, media@austouch.com.au