College Touch teams took to the field this past weekend to complete to qualifying process for the New Zealand Secondary Schools National Touch Championship. The top three teams from each Zone have qualified for this year's tournament that takes place in December in Hamilton.
There were some real surprises today during the Finals of the 2010 XBlades New Zealand Secondary Schools National Touch Championship with two upset victories to teams who had both entered the competition for the first time. Manurewa College took out the Girls grade while St. Peter’s College used their strong all-round skills to win the Mixed Grade. Meanwhile, Hamilton Boys High School managed their third straight title in the Boys with a typically well-drilled and skilled performance.
The two time defending champions Hamilton Boys were looking for a trifecta of titles in as many years when they played St. Kentigen’s in scorching conditions at Palmerston North’s Ongley Park.
It looked like it was going to be Macleans year after cruising through the opening rounds. St. Peter’s though got the early running in this encounter and scored the first Touchdown through a brilliant bit of play by Levi Martin who broke the line, stepped two defenders and scored.
Manurewa started the final with some great meters up the middle of the field setting themselves up for their first chance of the game. The first Touchdownof the game was scored on the back of the early dominance in possession as a quick interchange of passing set up an overlap for #8 Marama Davis to put the final ball to #7 Lisa Rua who scored with a dive in the corner.
Papanui will face Manurewa in the Girls Final, followed by Macleans vs. St. Peters School in the Mixed, while defending champs Hamilton Boys will take on St. Kentigen's in the Boys Final.
Semi-Final spots were on the line today at the XBlades New Zealand Secondary Schools National Touch Championship and inspired Touch was played despite the torrid conditions. With teams playing up to four games it has seen heartbreak for some, elation for others and in the case of title favourites Hamilton Boys High (Boys), Papanui High School (Girls) and Macleans College (Mixed) very much business as usual.
Both teams were top of their pools yesterday and the winner of this game would go on to win the round and secure a place in the Semi-Finals.
These two teams had impressed during the opening rounds with Macleans in particular looking like tournament champs in waiting.
Papanui’s New Zealand representative player Janelle Cavanagh was the difference in this game. She stamped her authority all over it from the onset, making a strong break before offloading to #12 Lauren Tatana who scored in the corner.
Gisborne have had a good run so far at the tournament and their running style of play has set up a good platform for them. St Peter’s are always a strong team and this was set to be a classic game.
Motueka won the toss and elected to tap off. They started strongly, selected a smart set-up play and were quickly asking questions of the St Peters’ defence. Some good movement at the line featured #4 Emily Stalker diving in what was a near-perfect start for the underdogs.
This morning game was eagerly anticipated as Hamilton Girls had looked the goods in their previous outings this tournament and the team would have been confident that they could match it with defending champs Papanui.
The XBlades New Zealand Secondary Schools National Touch Championship lived up pre-tournament expectations today as the opening rounds of pool play provided plenty of surprises and some serious Grade A Touch. Saturday’s action will be just as cut-throat as teams vie for the chance to make the finals.
This game was a close fought nail-biter with some solid defence from both sides in difficult conditions. Mahurangi were energetic and dynamic, posing a lot of questions on their opponents’ line.
This was a classic game of two halves with St Peters making the most of their opportunities and holding off a fast-finishing Mangere.
Manurewa came out looking sharp on attack as their first set led to a great solo effort from #14 Abel Enosa Taifau scoring the game’s opener. After looking solid on offence Manurewa’s defence was seriously questioned as Kelston put four consecutive Touchdowns on them throughout the first half.
In the mixed teams side of the competition with both boys and girls on each team Howick College and St Andrew’s went head to head at Palmerston North’s Ongley Park.
Mount Albert Grammar girls school started the match on fire, with great back line moves mixed with good continuity close to the line. MAGS opened the scoring from a set tap off move in the first two minutes which sent #17 Josina Vader in to score.
The highly fancied St Peter’s College from Auckland took on Hato Paora College in this opening round clash. St Peters College scored the first Touchdown of the game off the opening possession when a quick play of the ball created an overlap and #1 scored with a great dummy fooling the oppositions defence.
The top 58 School teams in the country are readying themselves battle it out for pride, honour and glory over three days of scorching Touch action from this Friday 10th December.
Here’s a great opportunity for players and supporters at the 2010 XBLADES NZ Secondary School Touch National Championship to see and try the new game that is getting rave reviews across NZ.