That’s A Wrap For The Inaugural Cold Climate Classic

Under the rooftop of Devonport’s newest event space, Providore Place, The Cold Climate Classic launched to a smallish but enthusiastic audience on Friday Evening. Billed as Greet, Meet & Eat and forming part of Devonport’s Food & Wine Week the weekends first event saw representatives of State Government, Devonport City Council & Touch Football Australia formally welcome competitors and the community to the Cold Climate Classic.

With the formalities over participants settled into Providore Place to enjoy a range of musicians and street performers whilst sampling the offerings of a number of street food vendors. Penguin Brewing company were on hand to ensure competitors and the public stayed well hydrated, as were several other beverage providers.  Greet, Meet & Eat was a great way to kick proceedings off.

Saturday dawned grey and cool with the expectation of some precipitation later in the day. Teams started rolling in to Meercroft Park early and some seemed to have Greeted & Eat(ed) quite extensively the previous evening. Even those who may have been a little sleep deprived appeared to be in good spirits and there was plenty of banter going back and forth between teams.

The Pirates & Pregnant Llamas tapped off the first game and the banter and hijinks were soon forgotten as the competitive juices kicked in. This was social touch but it was serious social touch. The first Round of games were completed before the heavens opened but whilst bodies and clothing were dampened, spirits remained buoyant and the teams carried on to complete the day’s action. We are not saying the rain on Saturday was Biblical but at one point animals were seen to be lining up in pairs ready to board The Spirit of Tasmania.

A quick shower and competitors were back at Providore Place for Sea FM’s Hang Out at The Hub event. Once again, musicians and street performers entertained everyone, appetites were sated and hydration levels restored. Some needed quite a bit of restoration and remained out hydrating until the very early hours.

Sunday dawned to bright blue skies and a large Orange orb in the sky that had not been sighted for a number of days prior, temperatures soared to a warm 16 degrees and everyone was back for the final day of competition. Pirates again had the honour of playing the first game of the day when they took on the locals in The Chiefs. The Chiefs taking the win to remain in contention for the big dance. The days second last game saw The Pregnant Llamas take on The Chiefs for a spot in the Final against Hobart’s Bears team. The Chiefs getting the winning score with seconds remaining.

The final was everything you could have hoped for in a final. It was close, it was entertaining and it was played in great spirit. In the end The Bears got away with the tournament (congratulations Bears) thanks in huge part to a try scoring double to John Dowling who wound the clock back many, many years to take Player of The Final honours.

A quick medal presentation and once again everyone headed to Providore Place to be entertained by Hobart 90’s cover band, Australian Made. Ripping out plenty of Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil and Paul Kelly classics those of us “of a certain age” were right in our element. Thanks to Devonport’s Frankie J’s for hosting Finale Drinks.

Nominations are now open for next years Cold Climate Classic which will be bigger and better. The dates are 28-30 October so get them in your calendar now.