While there was some stunning performances from local players at the National Touch League at Coffs Harbour, one of the most memorable moments came for a referee.
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Jonathan Powyer was one of three referees from Dubbo who was in action at the Australian championships and going for an upgrade in their levels.
But making Powyer’s feat even the more impressive is the fact he is deaf and both he an Keyte were successfully upgraded from Level 4 to 5.
“The highest level is six and as well as being able to do high-level games, Level 6 referees can do international games so to have two at five will strengthen our local comp,” Dubbo Touch Football Association president Neil Webster said.
“No deaf person has ever been to Level 4 so that is fantastic. When he received his badge I’m told the whole referees group gave him a standing ovation.”
In terms of the players, Nicole Grose and the Hunter Western Hornets Women’s 35s side again starred and won the final, which was played on Sunday.
“They won the champs so that’s pretty good,” Webster said.
“She (Grose) has been (one of Dubbo’s best players) and I think they’ve won the last three finals, that side.
“It’s a very good team and they just keep winning.
Alistair Thompson, Andrew Tomlins, Graham Robinson, James De Lyall, Kyle Myers and Mark Boney were all part of the Men’s 30s Hornets side which made the semi-finals.
The Hornets side impressed early on, beating the likes of the North Queensland Tropical Cyclones, South West Queensland Swans and Defence Warriors but came up against a South Queensland Sharks side in the semi-finals which was led by former NRL premiership winner Scott Prince.
The former Wests Tigers, Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos halfback guided the Sharks to an 8-4 win and his side went on to win the title.
“We had six players in the one team and they made the semis and they were stoked, they did really well,” Webster said.
Webster was joined by Wayne Garnsey in the Men’s 50s side and it too was beaten in the semis by eventual champions, the Sydney Scorpions.
An 11-0 preliminary win over the ACT Raiders was the highlight for the Hornets 50s side, but the Scorpions were too strong in the semi and won 8-4.
Overall, Webster was delighted for all the locals to perform so well and said it can only be a good thing for the game locally.
“It’s just the experience you get at a carnival at that level and everyone can bring it back and it filters through the local club,” he said.
“The more players or refs we have there the better.”
In terms of local touch football, the mixed grand finals were washed out on Monday night and now will be played next week.
The men and women’s grand finals are Wednesday evening before a five week hiatus leading in to the start of the winter competition.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
