Narrabri Touch Inc’s 2020-21 summer touch competition gets underway

Finally, touch footy is back.

Narrabri Touch Inc’s 2020-21 summer competition began on Monday evening, seven months after the 2019-20 season was cancelled amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Twenty-two teams took to the Cooma Oval fields in round one on Monday with matches running across two time slots. Ten of the 22 teams which entered the 2020-21 campaign are men’s teams and the other 12 are ladies’ teams.

Nine rounds, including Monday’s season opener, will be played before Christmas. That has allowed for each men’s team to play all opposition sides once before graded competition begins after the Christmas/school holiday break. At this stage the ladies’ teams will play two games after the break before breaking off into grades.

There were 91 tries scored by 59 tryscorers across the 11 matches in round one on Monday evening.

In the ladies’ competition, Agies Ladies outscored Hounddogs 12-0, Redbacks defeated The Rippers 7-1, Xtra edged out BPR-Tourist 2-1, Specialised Civil downed RSL Roulettes 8-0, Phoenix Two390 beat OneDay Gals 9-0, and Blue Birds defeated The Emasculators 6-1.

In the men’s competition, Cougars downed Win or Booze 6-3, Gee Bangers edged out Platform X Studio 3-2, Grumley Builders outscored Ballbusters 9-0, DTA Lumberjacks beat Mowley’s Maniacs 7-4, and Damien Chiplin Plumbing defeated Stylies 9-0.

Ballbusters’ Ian Gourley throws a pass as Grumley Builders’ Ethan Brown, left, and Linton Grumley, right, push up in defence. Ballbusters’ Ian Gourley throws a pass as Grumley Builders’ Ethan Brown, left, and Linton Grumley, right, push up in defence.

Blue Birds’ Clariese Ryman throws a pass before The Emasculators duo Gabby Chaffey, left, and Laura Nesbitt, right, can make a tag. Blue Birds’ Clariese Ryman throws a pass before The Emasculators duo Gabby Chaffey, left, and Laura Nesbitt, right, can make a tag.

RSL Roulettes’ Brooklyn Cooper reaches to grab a wayward pass as Specialised Civil’s Sophie McFarland chases in defence. RSL Roulettes’ Brooklyn Cooper reaches to grab a wayward pass as Specialised Civil’s Sophie McFarland chases in defence.

Mowley’s Maniacs’ Josh Trindall crosses for a try before DTA Lumberjacks’ Scott Purcell can make the tag. Mowley’s Maniacs’ Josh Trindall crosses for a try before DTA Lumberjacks’ Scott Purcell can make the tag.

Specialised Civil’s Clare Larkin throws a pass. Specialised Civil’s Clare Larkin throws a pass.

Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Jakeb Nipperess dives over to score a try in the corner. Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Jakeb Nipperess dives over to score a try in the corner.

Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Blake Hilderson searches for a teammate as Stylies’ Luke Flood chases back in defence. Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Blake Hilderson searches for a teammate as Stylies’ Luke Flood chases back in defence.

Blue Birds’ Lidia McCauley races away to score a try. Blue Birds’ Lidia McCauley races away to score a try.

Win or Booze’s Harry Pattison dives over into the corner to score a try. Win or Booze’s Harry Pattison dives over into the corner to score a try.

Grumley Builders’ Tom Nolan dives to tag Ballbusters’ Campbell Hancock as Grumley Builders’ Ethan Brown, left, covers in defence. Grumley Builders’ Tom Nolan dives to tag Ballbusters’ Campbell Hancock as Grumley Builders’ Ethan Brown, left, covers in defence.

Agies Ladies’ Martha Harvey, right, runs the ball forward as teammate Alisha Conomos, left, gets ready to pounce. Agies Ladies’ Martha Harvey, right, runs the ball forward as teammate Alisha Conomos, left, gets ready to pounce.

Cougars’ Jaylan Sharpley throws a pass. Cougars’ Jaylan Sharpley throws a pass.

OneDay Gals’ Makayla Elford reaches out to tag Phoenix Two390’s Rachel Charles. OneDay Gals’ Makayla Elford reaches out to tag Phoenix Two390’s Rachel Charles.

The Emasculators’ Gabby Chaffey reaches out to tag Blue Birds’ Anni Wenner. The Emasculators’ Gabby Chaffey reaches out to tag Blue Birds’ Anni Wenner.

DTA Lumberjacks’ Clayton Pursche races away to score a try. DTA Lumberjacks’ Clayton Pursche races away to score a try.

Redbacks’ Chelsea Hancock throws a pass out of dummy half. Redbacks’ Chelsea Hancock throws a pass out of dummy half.

Blue Birds’ Amy Baguley reaches out to tag The Emasculators’ Sophie Jarrold. Blue Birds’ Amy Baguley reaches out to tag The Emasculators’ Sophie Jarrold.

Cougars’ Kurt Wallace dives to make a tag and deny Win or Booze’s Jonty Schwager a try. Cougars’ Kurt Wallace dives to make a tag and deny Win or Booze’s Jonty Schwager a try.

Mowley’s Maniacs’ Scott Connole passes to teammate Matt Walters. Mowley’s Maniacs’ Scott Connole passes to teammate Matt Walters.

Phoenix Two390’s Holly Ford throws a pass. Phoenix Two390’s Holly Ford throws a pass.

Gee Bangers’ Hayden Bell stretches out to tag Platform X Studio’s James Baker. Gee Bangers’ Hayden Bell stretches out to tag Platform X Studio’s James Baker.

Agies’ Ladies’ Alisha Conomos races away to score a try. Agies’ Ladies’ Alisha Conomos races away to score a try.

Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Ryan O’Neill runs the ball upfield. Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Ryan O’Neill runs the ball upfield.

The Emasculators’ Emma Heggaton tags Blue Birds’ Amanda Smith. The Emasculators’ Emma Heggaton tags Blue Birds’ Amanda Smith.

Cougars’ David Toomey passes to a teammate as Win or Booze’s Brock and Jonty Schwager pile on the pressure in defence. Cougars’ David Toomey passes to a teammate as Win or Booze’s Brock and Jonty Schwager pile on the pressure in defence.

Platform X Studio’s Riley Jenkins throws a pass out of dummy half after teammate Jacob Nichols, right, played the ball. Platform X Studio’s Riley Jenkins throws a pass out of dummy half after teammate Jacob Nichols, right, played the ball.

BPR-Tourist’s Kate Wheeler searches for a gap in the opposition defence close to the line. BPR-Tourist’s Kate Wheeler searches for a gap in the opposition defence close to the line.

Redbacks’ Georgie Hancock charges towards the tryline. Redbacks’ Georgie Hancock charges towards the tryline.

Platform X Studio’s Nathan Dicks reaches out to tag Gee Bangers’ Tim Hayne. Platform X Studio’s Nathan Dicks reaches out to tag Gee Bangers’ Tim Hayne.

Win or Booze’s Jess O’Neil fires a pass. Left is Cougars’ Kurt Wallace defending. Win or Booze’s Jess O’Neil fires a pass. Left is Cougars’ Kurt Wallace defending.

BPR-Tourist’s Lisa Macrae dumps the ball as Xtra’s Jess Craig makes the tag. BPR-Tourist’s Lisa Macrae dumps the ball as Xtra’s Jess Craig makes the tag.

Mowley’s Maniacs’ Lane Rees tries to step around DTA Lumberjacks’ James Albert. Mowley’s Maniacs’ Lane Rees tries to step around DTA Lumberjacks’ James Albert.

Agies Ladies’ Matilda Currey races away to score a try. Agies Ladies’ Matilda Currey races away to score a try.

Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Jock Small runs the ball upfield. Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Jock Small runs the ball upfield.

Cougars’ Chris Clark shows off some acrobatics while scoring a try. Cougars’ Chris Clark shows off some acrobatics while scoring a try.

In one of the first ladies’ games of the new campaign, Agies Ladies picked up where they left off last season with a dominant 12-0 win against Hounddogs. Seven players got themselves on the scoresheet in the big win, with Alisha Conomos claiming a hat-trick, Cathy Conomos, Matilda Currey and Bella Cruickshank bagging doubles and Tashanny Clark, Bree Kennedy and Krista Zarka crossing once each.

Another of the ladies’ competition’s most dominant sides in recent years, Redbacks, also started with a bang. In the team’s 7-1 win against The Rippers, Tori Allison, Hayley Lang and Shannon Rily all scored two tries each and Georgie Hancock went over for the other. Zoe Watkins scored The Rippers’ try.

In the closest ladies’ match of the opening round, Xtra downed BPR-Tourist 2-1. Xtra’s Emma Cain and Mereka Gleeson went over for a try each for their side, while Lisa Macrae got BPR-Tourist on the board.

Specialised Civil started its season on a high with an 8-0 victory against RSL Roulettes. Laura Baguley and Clare Larkin both bagged doubles for the winning side, while teammates Alex Hall, Sophie McFarland, Abby McClure and Natalia Smith all scored a try each.

Phoenix Two390’s win was also a dominant one as it downed OneDay Gals 9-0. Holly Ford claimed a hat-trick for Phoenix Two390 while teammates Cassidy Staines and Miranda Hamilton bagged doubles and Alex Bennett and Elsie Ford crossed once each.

In the other ladies’ game, Blue Birds began their season with a comfortable 6-1 win against The Emasculators. Clariese Ryman scored a hat-trick of tries for Blue Birds while teammates Taylah Fogarty, Lidia McCauley and Mikaela Woodward all crossed once. The Emasculators’ try was scored by Laura Nesbitt.

In one of the first men’s matches of the season, Cougars and Win or Booze produced an entertaining contest. Cougars’ Jaylan Sharpley and Jamarl Zarka both scored two tries each in their side’s 6-3 victory, and teammates Chris Clark and Kurt Wallace crossed once each. Win or Booze’s three tries were shared between Caleb McDonald, Kaleb McMillan and Harry Pattison.

In the closest men’s competition match in round one, Gee Bangers saw off Platform X Studio three tries to two. Hayden Bell bagged a double for Gee Bangers and the team’s other try was scored by Michael Cain. That was enough to overcome a Daniel Kahl double for Platform X Studio.

In a far more convincing win, the Grumley Builders downed Ballbusters 9-0. Ethan Brown grabbed a hat-trick in his team’s win, Jacob Booby bagged a double and Linton Grumley, Jydon Hill, Luke Tuckey and Tom Nolan all crossed once each.

The DTA Lumberjacks started their season with a 7-4 victory against Mowley’s Maniacs. Clayton Pursche went over for a hat-trick of tries, James Albert bagged a double and Dylan Duncan and Chase Magner chipped in with a try each. Two of Mowley’s Maniacs’ tries were scored by Matt Walters, and teammates Scott Connole and Josh Trindall shared the other two.

Finally, Damien Chiplin Plumbing dominated its match against Stylies. Damien Chiplin Plumbing’s Jakeb Nipperess and Jock Small both scored hat-tricks in their team’s 9-1 win, teammate Ryan O’Neill crossed twice and Toby Keys scored the other. Stylies’ try was scored by Aaron Stoltenberg.

The draw for round two of the 2020-21 season on Monday, October 26, at Cooma Oval is as follows:

6pm: Desk duty – Emily McFetridge.
Field one – Damien Chiplin Plumbing v Cougars (Linton Grumley, Connor Duncan), field two – Phoenix Two390 v Redbacks (Jess McFetridge, Peter Quirk), field three – DTA Lumberjacks v Platform X Studio (Ken Nolan, Cathy Conomos), field four – The Emasculators v Specialised Civil Services (Jon-Maree Baker, Jess Craig), field five – Mowley’s Maniacs v Stylies (Cameron Yates, Keegan Richardson), field six – Blue Birds v One Day Gals (Fiona Redfern, Joan O’Neill).

6.45pm: Desk Duty – Craig Gleeson.
Field one – Hounddogs v Xtra (Shannon Rily, Georgia Hardman), field two – Win or Booze v Grumley Builders (Nathan Dicks, David Toomey), field three – The Rippers v BPR-Tourist Hotel (Scott Purcell, Maddie Russell), field four -Gee Bangers v Ballbusters (Pat Mowle, Jakeb Nipperess), field five -RSL Roulettes v Agies Ladies (Tori Allison, Abby McClure).