Bubbles and Ferns take titles

THE 2013 touch rugby season officially came to an end on Saturday afternoon at Mick Kelly Park, Empangeni when Tiny Bubbles (ladies) and Black Ferns (men) managed to claim the bragging rights after superb performances in the finals.

The fast and furious season was fiercely competed for by 16 men’s and eight ladies’ sides every Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Empangeni Rugby Football Club.

This year marked the 20th annual McCarthy Toyota touch rugby tournament.

The day lived up to all expectations with spectators and supporters being treated to a front row seat of spectacular action.

The ladies’ third and fourth play-off saw Bar Rangers take on Mean Machines, which ended 2-0 to Mean Machines thanks to Meralda Bronkhorst and Nadia du Toit crossing the whitewash.

Ink Drips beat Casino Royale 4-2 to claim third spot thanks to Junior Dlomo (2), Bennie Mthembu and Simphiwe Mbhele crossing over for tries, whilst Alwyn Carsten and Ruan Horn dotted down for the Casino boys.

The ladies’ final saw Jade Hughes score a hat trick of tries to hand Tiny Bubbles yet another tournament victory, after they beat Select Sports 3-0 in a one-way demolition.

The men’s final was action-packed and had everyone on a knife-edge.

Duncan Biyela scored first for the Black Ferns side to hand them a 1-0 lead at half time.

But some superb team play resulted in Robert Snyman crossing over for the Baby Blacks to tie it up at one apiece.

Sudden death came into play, and with both teams exhausted and giving it their all, fans were kept thoroughly entertained.

But it was Jaco Pretorious who intercepted a switch pass to score the winning try and claim another victory for the Bay lads.

Results:

Men

1 Black Ferns, 2 Baby Blacks, 3 Ink Drips, 4 Casino Royale

Ladies

1 Tiny Bubbles, 2 Select Sports, 3 Mean Machines, 4 Bar Rangers