The nine wins to zero victory ensures back-to-back clean sweeps by Australia after the Aussies gave the Kiwis the same treatment in 2016. Australia was absolutely dominant over the three days, with no team more impressive than the Aussie Women’s Open side. The Australian Women put together a combined scoreline of 33-12 over their three games, dismantling New Zealand from the get-go. They put the exclamation mark on their 2017 campaign on Sunday, running out 14-3 winners in a one-sided clash. A scoreless first half cost New Zealand dearly, with the Kiwis not turning up to play against an opponent in hot form. It meant Australia led 6-0 at half-time before scoring eight touchdowns to three in the second half to run away with the win. Two tries to Laura Peattie, Patricia Michaelopolous, Marikki Watego and Samantha Rodgers helped the Aussies seal victory, while New Zealand’s Jazmin Hotham, Jessica Maher and Maisie Evison were the only touchdown scorers for the Kiwis. The New Zealand Women’s Open side is in somewhat of a rebuilding stage and should be applauded for the effort and heart they showed in all three games. Australia simply had too much class across the field and it bodes well heading into the 2019 World Cup. Not be outdone, the Australia Men’s side also capped off an unbeaten series to win 7-6 in Game Three on Sunday. It was the second one-touchdown win for the Aussies over the campaign, with Australia winning in a drop-off during Game Two on Saturday. New Zealand was desperately unlucky not to come away with at least one win throughout their three games in the Men’s division, but the Australian’s composure under immense pressure proved the difference. Nothing showed that more than Sunday’s tight victory. Tied at 4-4 at half-time, Australia knew what they had to do to secure victory and they did so, outscoring New Zealand 3-2 in the second half to hang on to the win. A double to Cody Green set the platform for the Aussies who showed the poise and experience you would expect from the world’s best touch football team. Men’s Open coach Tony Trad spoke after the match, commending New Zealand for their effort. “It was a gutsy win just like Saturday. It was an example of hard Test match football and I think the game was there for the taking right up until the last touchdown. We managed to hold on,” Trad said. “It’s what you’d expect from an Australia vs New Zealand Test match in any sport, let alone touch football. Full credit to the New Zealand team. They are a very young side. They kept coming back. We worked very hard for it and are happy to come away with the Trans Tasman Series.” The New Zealand players can hold their heads high, with a number of individuals unlucky to be on a losing side. Josh Quinn and Reihana Soutar-Finch both scored doubles in the heartbreaking loss, giving the two some positives to finish the campaign. Results wise there was not much joy for the Kiwis over the weekend, but they will be sure to take a lot from the experience, both on and off the field. It was a wonderful weekend of touch football at Sunshine Coast Stadium and one all of the Australian touch football family will remember fondly after a brilliant display. Clean Sweep Eden Richards After taking home the Mixed Open division with a 3-0 whitewash earlier in the day, Australia made it a clean sweep, winning both the Men’s Open and Women’s Open divisions with unbeaten 3-0 records to take home the Trans Tasman Series. 12 | Keeping In Touch 2016 IMG002_NSWTouch_Dec17_v3_FILM_R.indd 12 28/11/17 4:21 pm