Week 3 of Term 4 saw the NH Touch Zone Day held at Sunnynook Park. Northcross entered 3 teams, the NX Warriorz (Boys), NX Fernz (Girls) and the NX Makoz (Mixed).
NX Warriorz (Boys) NH Champions
With Rosmini & Murray’s Bay looking particularly strong this year our boys team were, unusually, not considered as favourites. The NX lads seemed to gel and look sharper with each pool match, eventually winning their three pool games 6-1, 7-0 & 7-1. This meant a showdown with Rosmini in the Semi Final in which our boys ground out a well earned 1-0 victory. It was no surprise that we would face old rivals Murray’s Bay in the final. After an emotionally charged semi the lads struggled to find their groove and in no time it was 0-0 at fulltime. Drop off time! Straight to 4 on 4 and then a minute later 3 on 3, both teams should be commended on their defence, but both struggled on attack until Rocco, Loghan & Aston drove down the field and put on a ‘quickie’ on the 5th touch to score the match winner!
NX Fernz (Girls)NH Champions
This team is a mix of all-around athletes who are all relatively new to the complex game of touch. However, with the skill set they bring from their respective sport, they very quickly came together as a fast, fit and selfless team of touch players. During the North Harbour competition, they worked hard to develop their touch skills, team cohesion and confidence game by game. This development got them through pool play (with 3-0, 6-0 and 5-2 wins) and to the semi-final where they won a tense game 2-1. The final was against old rivals, Murray’s Bay, and this game was even more tense with the game going to a drop off which NX won 1-0. Their determination won them the North Harbour title, qualifying them a place in the Auckland Championships.
NX Makoz (Mixed)
Our Northcross Mixed team had a great day at the North Harbour Zone day, growing as individual players and as a team throughout the tournament. Scoring a number of tries in their impressive victories (4-1, 4-0, and 3-1)during the group stage, set them up for a semi final against Mahurangi College. The close match went into a drop off; it took some resolute defending and a moment of brilliance to score the winning try & make the final against Belmont. The team gave their all in the final, but were unable to overcome the reigning champions, going down 2-5. Our mixed team can be proud of their efforts and performance. (Kaleb McNeil-Coach)
Auckland Champs Touch
It was great to be back at Auckland with both our Boys & Girls Teams.
During pool play our girls had 2 wins and a close 0-1 loss to favourites and old rivals, Glen Eden. They ended up playing Mt. Roskill in the Semi Final going down 1-3.
The boys went through a very similar scenario, except had 2 wins, a draw and a loss. The lads had a close loss in the last pool game which meant they had to play Glen Eden in the Semi Final. The team gave it everything but just ran out of petrol, going down 1-4. In the 3rd/4th Playoffs the boys played Rosehill Intermediate, going down 2-4 and the girls played Manurewa and ground out a gutsy win via a 3 on 3 drop off. Both teams represented NX with pride and I was extremely proud of the way all our players ran themselves to a standstill and always stayed in the fight.
Massive thanks to all the wonderful parents who always help out with transport and lots of side-line encouragement!
