Local touch footy heroes Jesse Pomare-Anderson, Tearoha Davis-Tahere, Lauren Donnelly, Shona Willis, Zane Clarke-Edwards and Cody Clarke-Edwards celebrate Territory successes. Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY

Touch stars

Max Bennett

27Nov09

A SUPERB performance from the Red Centre has not gone unrecognised, following a brilliant showing at the 2009 School Sports Australia Touch Championships in Adelaide.

As the Territory slugged it out against the nation's top teams it was the Centralians who provided the driving force, guiding the NT to some of their best results in recent memory.

Standout team of the tournament, the Territory Under-13 boys side catapulted to third overall behind powerhouses Queensland and New South Wales on the back of some stunning work from brothers Cody and Zane Clarke-Edwards.

The pairing starred for the Territory with Zane, captain of the side, earning congratulations from his teammates after being named most valuable player following a series of quality performances.

The Under-13 boys side were not the only Territory side to enjoy a successful trip to the South Australian capital, for Katie Lee Maloney and Olivia Tohi played their part in helping the Territory to a fourth-place finish in the eight-team Under-15 girls division.

It was fitting that one of the Territory's premier touch players ended his time in Central Australia as the standout player of the Under-15 boys side.

Jesse Pomare-Anderson, younger brother of North Queensland Cowboys junior Quinton, will be relocating with his family to join his brother in Townsville.

The youngster was named the players' player of the Under-15 side, a fitting Red Centre end to what is sure to become a blossoming career in the game.