The Newport Nasties have endured an epic battle against a fiercely competitive ATP Electrical side in the Final of the Avalon Bulldogs Touch Football Competition at the Doggy Dome tonight. Vying for a place in next weeks Grand Final on the peninsula's hallowed turf, the Nasties were ready for a tough game calling on the stalwarts in Skip McGrath, The Hoff and the King Brothers, Michael and Jamie to help them go through to the penultimate game of the season. "It will be tough out there tonight, I hope we can do it....." said James Hoskins to the Fox Sport commentators.

The glamour side had a disastrous start and fell behind 2-0 after 10 minutes of play. Depsite superb direction from the evergreen Gavin Sheehan few chances were given and alot of spilt ball at crucial times was allowing the opposition to dominate proceedings. The youngsters, Willo and Adiran made several darting runs but it was an old hand, Adam Peate who got the Nasties on the board before ATP Electricals scored again to go into the break with a 3-1 lead.

A lot of niggling was coming into play during the match and was hightened when the Nasties went in again shortly after the start of the second half to be behind 3-2 with about 20 minutes of play remaining. It was then an exchange of tries as first ATP Electrical scored then the Nasties followed by another oppositions try before Sean Panambalana flew over the line to bring the score to 5-4 with 5 minutes of the match remaining. Unfortunately for the Nasties that is how the scoreline ended with Scotty Dalton, Pete Johnson and The Axe giving their all in the final moments of play. "What a great season of touch footy it has been....." quipped Skip Mcgrath after the game.

Thanks to all those who played for the Nasties tonight and during the season, it can only get bigger and better from here. The Nasties training will continue tomorrow night at 7.30pm at the Doggy Dome. It would be good to have another great turnout for the build-up to the 2011 season.

Onwards & Upwards