Goannas brave the heat at NSW touch footy titles

Three Gunnedah Goannas touch football teams competed in the NSW State Cup at Port Macquarie from December 6 to 8.

It was the first time some of the Gunnedah players took part in the annual titles, while others had been in it once or numerous times.

Gunnedah featured in the Mixed Open B, Women’s Masters and Senior Mixed divisions as this year’s titles comprised 52 affiliates and more than 6000 participants, as there were 234 teams across 19 divisions.

About 300 referees officiated throughout the three days.

Players included rugby league identities such as Cliff Lyons, Steve Menzies, Scott Prince, Matt Moylan, Chase Stanley and Emma Tonegato.

The players and officials battled hot and humid conditions at Tuffins Lane Playing Fields throughout the three days, while there was also a disruption on day two due to a storm and a temporary power outage.

Gunnedah’s best performing team was the Mixed Open B team, which competed in Pool C.

The Goannas had wins of 8-1 and 4-3 against Bankstown and Wagga Wagga, before going down 7-4 to Nowra Shoalhaven on day one.

The next day, the Gunnedah Mixed Open B team beat Wollongong 6-4 before having 4-3 and 7-2 defeats against Tamworth and Nowra Shoalhaven.

On the final day, the Goannas defeated Scone 6-3 in a Mixed Open B Plate quarter-final before suffering a nail-biting 1-0 loss to Central Coast in a semi-final.

Ezra Gibson was named players’ player while Tara Wilkinson won the coach’s award for the Goannas Mixed Open B team.

In the Women’s Masters the Goannas were up against Coffs Harbour, Carlingford, Sharks, Berry, Central Coast, Wallsend and Maitland.

Gunnedah’s sole win in this division was on day one when the Goannas edged out Carlingford 2-1, before the Goannas drew Central Coast 5-all the next day.

The Goannas were competitive in most of their five defeats in the Women’s Masters, as margins ranged from three to nine tries.

Beck Dowe was named players’ player while Belinda Barrow won the coach’s award.

Although the Goannas were beaten in all five of their fixtures in Pool A of the Mixed Senior division, they were not disgraced as margins were two or three tries apart from one occasion when the score was 11-3.

Natalie Louis earned players’ player recognition while Marni Mitchell received the coach’s award.

Another award winner for the Goannas was Rowie Costello, who was named club person of the year.

Gunnedah’s award winners acknowledged that these events featured a lot of work behind the scenes with things like accommodation, uniforms and training.