Junior touch team takes title

A win by the under-14 girls side highlighted the efforts of the Marlborough junior touch teams at the recent Te Waipounamu tournament in Christchurch.

Marlborough sent five teams south and achieved creditable results across three age groups.

However, it was the under-14 girls who made the biggest impression, taking out the title 7-6 in what junior touch co-ordinator Anne Taylor described as “a fabulous game of touch”.

“In 20 years of going to this tournament the girls’ final was one of the best games of touch I have seen,” she added. “The skill levels of both teams were high and the game was incredibly close, which added to the drama.”

Playing in front of the biggest crowd of their touch lives, every time Marlborough went ahead Otago Gold, who they lost to in pool play, levelled the score. However, ultimately, Marlborough's defense won the day as they shut down the Otago attack and adapted better to the referee's calls, often catching Otago offside at the play-the-ball. Sophia Nicholas was able to exploit this with superior diving skills close to the line and combined well with the speed of Isla Tilbury who caused all sorts of trouble at dummy half.

The Marlborough under-14 team: Sophia Nicholas, Isla Watene, Bree Flynn, Tilly Tupouto’a, Hannah Harper, Karmah Hoani-Tito, Isla Tilbury, Ava Marcroft, Olivia Brown, Poppy Parkinson, Liz Pousima, Sammie Joyce, Neve Mckenzie.

They beat Canterbury 5-0, Otago Blue 8-3 and Southland 3-1, lost to Otago Gold 3-5 then beat Otago Blue 4-1 in the semifinal before downing Otago Gold 7-6 in the final.

The under-14 boys lost to Canterbury and Otago Gold, beat Otago Blue and lost to Southland. In the play off for third and fourth they drew 4-4 so went into a drop-off, which they lost after two minutes of extra time. Standout players were Jet Murrell, Thomas Blackmore and Harley Hebberd.

Marlborough’s under-16 boys’ side was a development combination, designed to give the junior boys game time at a higher level. Due to Nelson pulling out of the tournament the under-18 boys teams joined the grade, however, Marlborough never gave up and improved with every game. They ended on a high, beating a Canterbury Development team 7-6 in their last game. Standout players were Ben Blackmore, Leo Marfell, Kees MacDougall and Axel Allan.

Both a Marlborough under-12 girls’ and boys’ team participated. In keeping with the “Balance is Better” programme, no scores were taken or placings given. The focus was on skill development and, by tournament’s end, they were able to match all the other teams.

The girls won the referees’ pick for team of the tournament as they were a close unit who had a lot of fun.

“The tournament was a fantastic success,” said Anne. “So many things have been cancelled this year, so it was extra special for our players. All of the Marlborough players represented our province with pride.”