Priestley twins show skill on touch field
Two Morrinsville College students, who happen to be identical twins, continue to showcase their outstanding sporting talents.
Alison and Alysha Priestley both represented the Waikato under 18s team at the Grassroots Trust 2017 New Zealand Junior Touch Nationals held in Auckland last weekend.
This is the second year the Priestleys have represented Waikato.
The Grassroots Trust 2017 Junior Touch Nationals were held at Bruce Pulman Park in Papakura, Auckland.
The nationals started on Friday February 10, with finals day on Sunday February 12.
The Opening Ceremony was carried out with Alf Filipaina officially welcoming the 76 teams from around New Zealand to the park.
New Zealand touch players Jazmin Hotham and Nathan Willison read out the players’ oath, while Alisha Ruaiti and Cam Macdonald-Pederson raised the flags.
George Jahnke lead the charge with a record breaking ACC SportSmart prone hold where each player planked for 30 seconds.
The World achieved with participants.
All finals were livestreamed on the Sunday.
Waikato finished top of the pool heading into semi finals Record almost was 1000 playing Bay of Plenty who held fourth place.
They won the semi final 4-0 to set up a final against Otago.
Waikato headed into half time with a 4-1 lead.
Alison Priestley opened up the scores with a great try on the wing.
The final score was 5-3 to Waikato.
Both Alison and Alysha played extremely well and displayed their sportsmanship both on and off the field, throughout the week- end.
They both have a strong work ethic and put their bodies on line each game, giving everything they had.
Other Morrinsville College students Brooke Koppens and Danielle Mellow both represented Waikato under 16s with their team finishing fourth.
They lost to Otago in the minor semi final.
Both girls enjoyed the experience and hope to continue to represent Waikato.