Touch team second in Fiji

The Marlborough women’s touch team came within a whisker of claiming the Kava Cup in Fiji last week.

They reached the final of the Pacific Touch Festival in Denerau with three good wins on the first day, then took on 2Fresh Suva in the decider, which went right down to the wire.

Although Marlborough led 3-2 at halftime 2Fresh battled back in hot, sticky conditions to level the scores 4-4 at fulltime. Both teams then entered into a drop-off to decide the trophy winner with 2Fresh scoring after three minutes to take the honours.

In their first game Marlborough raced into action, racking up a 9-4 win over

2Fresh Suva with a polished second half display. Next up they prevailed 13-0 over Nadi, who had only the minimum players and paid the price in the testing conditions.

Their third game was against Samoa Titans, a 4-2 win over a more physical outfit seeing Marlborough into the following day’s semis as top qualifier.

Unfortunately their semi was not played due to a no-show from their rivals, meaning Marlborough went into the final against 2Fresh without a warmup match on the second day.

Amore controlled effort from 2Fresh saw them keep the trophy in Fiji, but Marlborough acquitted themselves well, both on and off the field at a tournament that is growing in popularity. Next Year Marlborough hope to return, along with a men’s side to contest the Fiji Cup, which was won this year by Hawke’s Bay in a classy show of skill and speed.

The Marlborough side praised the help of Sanford Ltd, Mayfield Motorworld and Kirk Nicholas Builder for supporting their trip.

The Marlborough team comprised: Katie Bradley, Cara Wiapo, Lucy Smith, Laura Murphy, Jenna Gilbert, Emma Paaka, Hana Wilson, Pippa Andrews, Jessie Peat, Daina Crosbie, Emma Moore, Rosie Buchanan Brown, Tash Ford. Coach: Todd Nicholas. Manager: Anna Archie. Tour manager: Toni Robinson.