Capricorn team surprises itself with major tournament win

FOR a last-minute, thrown-together touch team that was just out for a "good time", the Capricorn Castaways surprised many at the Pan Pacific Masters Games at the Gold Coast - not least themselves.

The over-40s women's side, which included several current and former Emerald touch players, overcame North Queensland outfit Faulty Towers 3-1 in the grand final.

What's more, the unlikely champions - who hail from the Capricorn Coast, Rockhampton and Central Highlands regions - nailed the feat with an unbeaten eight wins from eight games played.

"We went there purely for the fun of it and if we won, we won - we had no expectations," captain Lisa List said.

"Before we knew it, we were top of the table.

"Some of the players hadn't even met each other until we got to the airport. Quite a few of us have wanted to play at a higher competition level but just didn't have the time for training.

"They were a great bunch of girls," Lisa said.

Like many in the competition, the Castaways carried their fair share of injuries in the final rounds, although that was not enough to stop them from delivering some punishing scorelines, including a 6-1 defeat of Gold Coast side AAA Digital in the preliminary final.

The team already has plans to defend their title at next year's Pan Pacific Masters Games and even try their luck at another masters' competition in Cairns.

And why not?

They never hold any expectations.