Peninsula in touch football championships

Peninsula Touch Association participated in the Country Championships of Touch Football in Dubbo on May 25 and 26.

The Peninsula Piranhas fielded three teams for this year's event led by the Mixed Open team along with Senior Mixed and Men's Over 45s.

The Senior Mixed team entered the Country Championships as favourites and racked up an unbeaten run through their six round matches scoring 46 touchdowns and conceding seven.

"The Anthony McVicker coached team was led by husband and wife team Jeff and Alicia Smith with Karen Tucker a standout out amongst the females," said Peninsula Touch Association secretary Ms Meryl Harris.

"The Piranhas produced a gritty performance defeating a resurgent Forster-Tuncurry team 5-2 in the final to take the title of Country Champions.

"Matt Sawyer enjoyed a good weekend for the Peninsula outfit and was named player of the final.

"The Mixed Open Peninsula team was loaded with talent including the likes of Matt Goodwin, the Nicholls brothers, Daniel and Ben, along with young female stars such as Danielle Harris and Teigan Miller and finished their round games on top of their pool after an undefeated run.

"However fatigue set in during their semi-final clash against Taree and the Mixed Open team was eliminated one-game short of the final by a team that was too good on the day.

"The true spirit of the Peninsula Piranhas was demonstrated by the gallant effort of the Men's Over-45s team.

"Entering the tournament with only eight players due to injury and late withdrawals, the Men's 45s showed true grit defeating more fancied rivals in the round games and at times with only seven players due to further injury.

"The tenacity of this group of players earned them a spot in the final against Newcastle who boasted a full squad of 14 players and the Piranhas very nearly pulled off a miracle upset.

"With scores level at 1-all at full time the game went into drop-off and with one player from each team removed from the field every two minutes until the deciding touchdown is scored.

"Play was reduced to minimum numbers of three-on-three before Newcastle was able to breach the resilient Peninsula defence and claim the title.

"While a disappointing loss and another runners-up title was the result for the Men's Over-45s, they received a standing ovation upon their return to the presentation area; deserved recognition for their herculean effort in the final.

"It was a successful weekend for Peninsula Touch who represented both their club and community with great pride and sportsmanship," said Ms Harris.

Email, 28 May 2013

Meryl Harris, Peninsula Touch Association