AFTER years of excelling at the annual Ella Sevens carnival, 2021 marked a special one for the Southern Kings.
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It was the first time the club sent two men's and one women's team to the tournament, which was held at the Central Coast from March 5-6.
The men's first side, spearheaded by Brandon brothers Mark (skipper), Steven and Kieran, opened their tournament with a 26-12 win against the NSW Outback.
The CHC Helicopters sponsored side backed this up with wins against Maitland United (57-nil) and Galala (45-5).
But the side coached by Dillan Walker and featuring Kaleb Stewart, Kuyan Wellington, Tyrone Roberts-Davis, George Moresu, Sivo Senikaucava, Greg Davis, Jimmy Hendrix, Joel Tubbs and Geoffrey Johnson lost their play-off with the Skindogs (31-10) - seeing them bow out in the semi-finals.
The Kings' second men's side, which had dual-international Andrew Walker as playing coach, lost their opener 45-nil to La Perouse before rebounding against Mulubinba (24-19).
The seconds, skippered by Scott Webb and Elliott Stewart and containing Simon Brandon, Keeden Johnson, Craig Stewart, Daniel Pender, Jeremy Walker, Ben Griffiths, Stuey Cambo, Matt Morrison, Allister Flanders and Tyrone Bell, missed out on finals footy after losing their third pool match 34-12 to Black Magic.
Finally, the Southern Queens, playing in their first-ever tournament, opened with a 31-5 loss to Sydney Dreaming.
They then lost 38-nil to the Highlanders before breaking through for the maiden win - 7-nil over Maliyan Dreaming.
During the tournament, which also saw Andrew Adams, Allen Webb, Warren Potts and Sarah Aldous as part of the club's staff, the Queens side included Jessica Brandon, Tiarah Stewart-Thomas, Tanika Davis, Melissa Williams, Kirsty-Lee Chalker, Annie Reid, Nikitah Quinlan, Brianna Davis-Lonesborough, Judith Quinlan Nabalarua, Lowana Longbottom, Tahlisa Daley-Button and Lakeesha Davis-Lonesborough.
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