Touch team makes finals
Tue 21 March 2006
Michelle McLochlan, Journalism
Sunshine Coast sporting sensation Tim French has had his first taste of playing against the elite in the National Touch League competition.
The moments of glory lasted over four days for French and his team, the Queensland Country Rustlers.
The competition is staged annually in March at the International Sports Stadium in Coffs Harbour.
Playing in the division of mixed open, the team faced-off against nine other teams from all over Australia, in an attempt to win the title of National Touch League Champions.
“We didn’t expect to win it but as a team we thought we had a good chance,” French said.
The competition consisted of nine teams going head-to-head in preliminary rounds.
Teams scrambled for a spot in the top four, giving them the chance to play off for the championship.
The Rustlers narrowly missed out on a top four spot but did succeed in playing for the fifth spot, known as the plate final.
“It wasn’t a major final, but the adrenalin was still pumping and we really wanted to prove how good a team we were,” French said.
It came down right to the last minute with the plate final resulting in a drop off – where teams eventually drop down to three players until the first touchdown is scored.
Unfortunately the Rustlers lost this, but came sixth in the competition overall.
“It wasn’t all about winning, the atmosphere and experience of playing in the sports stadium was unforgettable,” French said.
French, who is currently studying sport and exercise science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, said playing in the tournament was a great milestone to achieve in his sporting career.
Image(s) designed by Michelle McLochlan