It was uncharted territory for touch in Otago as Columba College became the first school in the region to win a national touch title.
The side from Dunedin beat St Kentigern College 7-4 in the girls final at the national secondary schools championships in Auckland.
The side played eight games throughout the weekend, starting on Friday, and won the lot, including a crunch 7-4 win over defending champion Hamilton Girls’ High School in the semifinal.
Columba College coach Dayna Turnbull said the girls had worked hard right through the weekend and deserved the victory.
The final was locked 2-2 at the break and St Kentigern College scored first in the second half. But Columba scored the next three tries to get a decisive advantage.
A score right at the final hooter blew the score out to 7-4 and a deserved victory for Columba.
Turnbull, who plays touch for New Zealand, said the side knew it just had to stay in the grind.
"We knew the opportunities would come and we needed to convert them. We managed to do that while they could not convert many of those.
"The team which made the less mistakes would win. We never felt comfortable throughout the final but the girls had the belief in themselves. Trust the game plan - the girls are like family and really stick together."
The team of 16 girls showed some real desperation on defence.
Six of the side were rookies to the championships and all had played well. McKaylar Moore set up a couple of tries with a nice swerve and step while Meg Sycamore also put in some valuable contributions.
But touch was a real team game, and every member of the team worked hard, Turnbull said.
Other sides from the south performed well.
Otago Boys’ High School finished fifth in the boys grade while King’s High School finished seventh and Southland Boys’ High School finished 11th.
Central Southland College was ninth in the mixed grade.
