Tasmanian State Cup Returns to Southern Touch for 2022

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Timestamp: Tue 29 Nov 2022, 01:57 PM

The 2022 Touch Football Tasmania State Cup returned to Southern Touch with a tightly contested competition on 26-27 November.

Following the Junior State Cup in February, Launceston Touch Association (LTA) went into the weekend with a narrow overall lead, but despite some wonderful performances they weren’t quite able to hold on in the final tally.

Four divisions were played over the weekend Women's 30s, Mixed Open, Women's Open and Men's Open.

In the Women’s 30s division, Southern Touch dominated in their first two games over Devonport Touch Association (DTA), cruising to a 3-0 series win. Player of the series Katelyn Barry wasn’t able to play the third game, resulting in a much closer scoreline.

The Mixed Open series was tense all weekend, as Devonport started the event well with a win and a draw but weren’t able to hold on to their position in the second round, as the finalists were determined in the last round game. In the final LTA skipped away to an early lead off the back of some solid goal-line defence. Southern came back strong off the back of some slippery running from Kris Fiddaman, but poor discipline led to players in the sin-bin, and LTA were able to hold on to win 8-4.

The Women’s Open division saw history made. Devonport had their first ever State Cup game win in the division with a try to Abby Goninon on the siren sealing a memorable win. With an equally hard-fought 4-4 draw in the return game, DTA set another first by making the final. The final though was a 12-2 win to LTA, who continue their dominant performances over the last several years in this division.

The overall result for the State Cup came down to the final in the Men’s Open.

Southern Touch had been strong all weekend and looked to cruise through the round games. By half time though many thought a boil over could be in the offering as LTA had put in a flawless performance to lead 4-0. Stepping up to dominate in the second half was Sam Williams and Player of the Final Sheldon Smith, who between them showed their experience and cool heads to wrest the game back. The late winner sealed a memorable win for Southern Touch, and the overall title for the year.

Men's 30s

Southern Touch won by forfeit

Women's 30s (Series)

Southern Touch 3 - Devonport Touch Association 0

Player of the Series

Katelyn Barry (Southern Touch)

Mixed Open

Launceston Touch Association 8 defeated Southern Touch 4

Players of the Final

Elijah Agaiava (Launceston Touch Association)

Ally Wilson (Launceston Touch Association)

Women's Open