International Club Challenge Scorches!

The 2014 International Club Challenge was held on the weekend just gone, and with the temperature soaring, the heat off the paddock was almost as hot as the action on it.

After a week of torrential rain. Saturday started with testing conditions for many of the visiting teams. In particular, the Jerra-Storm from Canberra Australia who had left home where it was below zero and cold to the outrageous heat and high humidity with the sun drawing all that moisture out of the ground.... it didn't stop them - just slowed them down a little.

A great weekend of competitive Touch with refeees from Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore controlling the event. And from all reports did a fantastic job!

A number of referees flew in deliberately so as to progress their skill and attempted to gain an upgrade in their acceditation. With 6 x Level 6 referees on site from Australia acting as mentors and coaches to the Asian referee team - it worked a charm with referees from all nations gaining hard earned upgrades - well done!

On the competition side - the talent was evident with Hong Kong taking on Jerra-Storm (Aust) in the Open Mixed final and Tokyo Johnan Jokers up against the Singapore Barbarians team in the Open Men.

As you can imagine when it comes to the end of the weekend - the best teams shine and shine they did offering the spectator crowd a genuine spectacle.

The Jerra-Storm team had a load of talent both young and old and proved just too good for Hong Kong with their experience holding off the young Asin team. However, the run allowed Hong Kong to reinforce their intentions to progress to the 2015 World Cup in Australia and were very excited to take home the runner up medal - and well done Jerra-Storm as Champions for 2014.

The Johnan Jokers were all business from the outset - however, our local lads were not going to give them an inch in the Open Men's final with the game going from end to end 'and fast'. The scoreboard was close throughout until the Tokyo lads finally took a two TD lead and although the Barbarians came back it was just too late and they were not able to equalise and secure a drop off - the clock beating them.

Both teams have a number of players looking to represent their nations in Australia in 2015 and so I am sure if they have the chance to square up again down under - it will be another cracking game.

Congratulations to the Johnan Jokers as Champion Open Men 2014.

The finals moved on to a well deserved buffet of roast beef and lamb and trimmings along with a glass of wine and beer or three.

Special thanks must go to Karen Tham national Open Women's representative, coach and TFS referee who along with her team of volunteers from Hwa Chong Institition maintained the administration of the two day event and did a fantastic job keeping games on track and the scores updated - well done HCI!

The ICC 2014 brings the first half of the year season to an end - the next Winter Touch League commencing mid-August.

* Article courtesy Singapore Touch