At the end of the 2017 ‘Round Robin’ Premier Competition, Tukapa had won top spot of the ‘top four’, thus earning the right to play Spotswood United in the Semi Final. The game was an even contest with Tukapa edging into the lead a few minutes from full time, through a successful penalty kick to win: 16 points to 15. And so to the Final:
Having been beaten twice by Coastal during 2017 round robin games, the scene was set for our Premier Team (Senior A) to have a last crack at beating Coastal in the Final. After a sustained period on attack inside the Coastal 22 meter mark at the closing stages of the game, finally Tukapa scored and kicked the Goal to win 17 points to 14.
The resolute defence that Coastal had shown in previous games continued into the Final, and it took Tukapa 89 minutes to finally crack it.
For the statistically-minded the 2017 title win by the Premiers now means that:
- Tukapa has won 16 Senior A (Premier) titles since 1892
- Tukapa have now won the Senior A title six times in sixteen seasons (2001-2017)
- Tukapa have won ‘back to back’ Championship Titles three times: 1968 & 1969; 2010 & 2011; and 2016 & 2017.
- Jack Cameron becomes the only Tukapa player to be a member of 5 Senior A championship winning teams.
- The Senior A title this year means Tukapa has now won a total of 71 afternoon grade championships since 1892.
