The 2018 NSW Touch Football Year 7/8 All Schools State Final was held today at The Kingsway Playing Fields, home of Penrith Touch Association.
541 Participants from 32 Schools, represented 38 Teams vying for the 2 Winners Trophies.
The dark clouds didn’t dismay the players; with the intensity of games beginning at tap off of the first hooter. A large number of drawn matches were seen during the round games, with teams proving just as strong in defence, as they did in attack.
Tweed River HS put in the effort; travelling 840kms by bus yesterday to have their Boys & Girls teams represented at the State Final. Tweed have qualified both their boy’s & girl’s teams for 3 years running, and travel the furthest distance out of any school in NSW to be at the State Final.
St John Bosco, qualified to their first Year 7/8 State Final through the Taren Point Regional Event and finished a respectable 4th in their pool.
A strong contingence of teams made it through to the Quarter Finals, with The Hills Sports HS & Narrabeen Sports HS both narrowly missing out on spots in the Top 8. Narrabeen being the 2017 Runners up in the boy’s division, were looking to do the same, but the field being too strong for them to progress through this year.
First time State Finalists, St Mary’s Wellington Girls, Kinross HS Boys; and Pymble Ladies College, made their mark, progressing through to the Quarter Finals, each team finishing 2nd in their respective pools.
St Clare’s Taree & ASC St Peters unfortunately didn’t make it past the quarter finals in the girls; with St Dominic’s & Tomaree HS finishing up their day in the boy’s event as well. All quarter final matches were close, the 8 QF games averaging a 2-point margin.
A drop off in the quarter finals saw 2017 Champions Patrician Brothers Blacktown be edged out by Wadalba Christian School, who took the game, and Semi Final position winning 4-3.
St Joseph’s Aberdeen Girls who qualified from the Tamworth Regional Event, had remained undefeated throughout all their round games, and quarter final match up. Unfortunately, they were up against a too strong Orange HS in the Girls Semi Final. Orange HS winning their spot in the Grand Final 6-3.
Hunter Sports HS were looking strong with both their boys and girls teams progressing through to the Semi Finals. Their girls team not quite making it, with NBSC Mackellar remaining undefeated, and winning the Semi 3-2.
In the Boys Semi Finals, Kildare Catholic College from our Wagga Wagga Regional Event had pushed hard all day throughout their 5 previous games. Hunter Sports HS Boys too good, knocking out the Riverina team in a 7-3 win.
Wadalba Christian School, who had won every one of their previous games, gave a good fight in the Semi Final. Kiama HS qualifying their spot in the Grand Final in a 2-1 win.
The Girls Grand Final was a great match, both teams putting in everything they had. NBSC Mackellar girls, said they were nervous before the game, knowing Orange HS were going to be a contending team. Mackellar were runners up in 2017, and looked to do one better this year.
The Mackellar girls scoring the first touchdown, to which Orange replied. Mackellar scoring the next two touchdowns, and Orange trying to salvage their game scoring again. The score ended up 3-2 to NBSC Mackellar Girls who remained undefeated the entire 7 games they played. Player of the Final was awarded to Zara Halliday from NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus.
The Boys Grand Final was fast paced, Kiama HS having not attended the State Final for a number of years, looked to be back and stronger than ever. Hunter had remained undefeated up until the Grand Final, topping their pool after the round games.
The score was 2-1 in the 18th Minute; Hunter Sports scored to draw the game 2-2 with one-minute remaining on the clock. Kiama quickly returning to win the game by 1 in the last 10 seconds. Score was 3-2 to Kiama HS. Player of the Final was awarded to Taj Ford from Kiama HS.
We were lucky enough to be joined by Nicholas Good, NSW State of Origin Winning Captain, who awarded the teams and players with their medallions & trophies.
We would like to thank Penrith Touch Association for hosting the event, and helping us adapt our field layout due to the rain had over night.
Thank you also to all the Schools, for their participation today. It was thanks to you that the event ran smoothly, and we look forward to seeing you at our 2019 NSW Touch Football School Events.
For full fixtures & results, visit NSW Touch Football – Secondary Page
