Fifth touchies title for Gasbottels

Henties Bay touch rugby tournament defending champions Gasbottels maintained their grip with a fifth consecutive win in the Cup Division. Team Gasbottels consisting of Keanu Webber, Elton de Smith, Paulo Andrews, Aurelio Plato, Aston Bill, Rayton Paulse, Delron Brand and Leighton Kearns were up against Lions in the final. Andrews and Plato scored the tries for a 2-0 victory and a cash prize of N$10 000. The Lions won N$7 000 as the runner-up. Chad Plato spoke on behalf of the winners. “The feeling is indescribable. Its simply wonderful to be able to travel from Walvis Bay to Henties Bay and compete. Winning this cup is a big deal for us. Without the organisers and sponsor this would not be possible. Thank you for providing players with this opportunity and keeping us occupied.” Plato said team Gasbottels simply stuck to their game plan. “Playing with friends, being supported by family and the prize money for the winning team, motivated us. Lions is a young bunch and they gave us a good fight in the final. They should keep on playing and in doing so could probably win this tournament in the foreseeable future.” Lions’ captain Brian Seister said they came very close to winning. “I am glad that we reached the finals. We were not adequately prepared to compete, did not have a sponsor and never expected to reach the finals by winning all our games. The fact that we reached the finals is a reward for us. It was difficult, we made a lot of mistakes but we made it. We will definitely come up with a better game plan next time.” NINE ENTRIES Gasbottels defeated Souties and Lions defeated Die Ouens in the semi-finals of the Cup Division. Maak Show defeated Sandbabers with 1-0 in the Plate finals and pocketed N$5000. Plate runners-up Sandbabers took home N$2500. Sandbabers defeated Hansa Draught and Maak Show defeated Barbarians in the semi-finals of the Plate Division. According to captain Mitchell Koetzee, the champions are a group of friends who play touchies for fun in the streets of Swakopmund whenever they have time. “We competed in a number of tournaments and performed well. One of the spectators told us we are putting on a great show and that’s where our name comes from. Discipline, patience and our passion for the game brought us the title. We did not start well, but we recovered and regrouped as the tournement progressed.’ Koetzee encouraged participating teams to return and to continue building the friendships established at the tournament. Nine teams including Lions, Souties, Maak Show, Die Sandbabers, Die Ouens, Hansa Draught, Die Swakkelinge which feature the likes of actor Irvine van der Merwe (Nazeem in Suidooster), Barbarians and Gasbottels were in action at this year’s tournament. Tasmien Clazen, senior brand manager for Windhoek Draught, said the event was very successful. “The spectators turned up in numbers. Those who were not here really missed out. We are proud to be associated with an event with such great attraction for the young people who either come to participate or support. We support rugby at national level. After Covid-19, this is a definite highlight.” Windhoek Draught sponsored N$40 000 towards the event. “This money went towards the prizes, the setup and to ensure everybody enjoys themselves and that the players enjoy a quality tournament. We would like to go bigger and better next year. We want more people to join in the fun,” said Clazen. She also urged residents and holiday makers to act and enjoy the festive season responsibly. MISS TOUCHIES Miss Touchies was also crowned after the final. Each participating team had a representative for the beauty competition. Haily Saaiman who entered the competition independently won Miss Touchies 2022. Her first princess is Suria Stoffberg (Sand Barbers) and the second princess is Sophia Noble (Cowboys). The Miss Tiny pageant had five beauty queens. Ilse-Monique van Zyl was crowned as Miss Tiny with Mia Bruwer being the first princess and Chere Herlodt is the second princess. TEAM BUILDING Sparta Rugby Club has organised and hosted the Touchies Rugby Tournament in Walvis Bay for the past two years and the Sparta Recreational Club decided to continue the tradition, explained a member of the organising committee, Frans Beukes. “The tournament are being hosted by Sparta Recreation Club since Walvis Bay Rugby Club no longer exists. We planned an amazing day of rugby right next to the ocean and it was a bit disapointing to have only nine teams registering. This could have been due to another big event happening at the same time in the area.” Beukes said the tournament serves as a team building exercise for rugby players from all over the country. “Friendships are established and players have an opportunity to compete against players from other leagues which they normally would not be able to do. They join forces in teams and this is a plus for the sport of rugby.” He said organisers could not secure the venue for the previous two years due to Covid-19 and that’s why the tournament was hosted at the Sparta Recreational Club in Walvis Bay. Many pitched to support the competing teams and to watch and enjoy the day with friends and loved ones on the beach. The air was filled with good vibes, this was coupled with food stalls, modelling competitions, a beer belly competition and a live performance by Joe Nichol.