The victorious Shellharbour Stingrays touch football champions. Photo: JGSportssnaps.
The Shellharbour Stingrays have claimed a stunning double to take out both the men’s and women’s titles in the Wollongong Touch Premier League.
Both teams finished fourth on the ladder yet managed to take down the minor premiers to qualify for the grand finals.
In the men’s division, the Stingrays bumped the previously undefeated Thirroul in the semi-final 3-2, before making light work of Albion Park 6-0 in the decider.
Jayden Sargent led the charge with a player of the final performance.
Captain Carl O’Brien said it was a big turnaround for the team, which finished last in the previous season.
“It was great to get in the top four and then we had a close couple of games to come away with it,” he said.
In the women’s division, the Stingrays toppled the table leader Dapto in the semi-final 3-2.
Lily Riolo played a huge role and repeated the efforts in a player of the final performance, aided by Ally Mawson, Loz Robinson and Justine Rang, to thrash Thirroul 5-2 and claim the championship.
Lily said the win was a great effort considering it was a pretty young team.
“We were actually sitting fourth coming into the finals so we all thought we were only going to get one game, so to have two and then to win it was pretty good,” she said.
Association vice-president Tim Robinson said it was one of the biggest competitions the league had run.
“Having eight teams in the men’s and five teams in the women’s … it’s been really good,” he said.
“It didn’t disappoint on finals night either.
“It’s a great chance for these players to get some high-quality touch under their belt leading into the rep season.”
