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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

Weekend

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

Weekend

By Kris Shannon

12

- The number of successful three-point shots made by New Zealand Breakers forward Mika Vukona in his 181-game Australian NBL career. Vukona’s 12th career trey was perhaps his best, breaking a tie in last weekend’s game against the Sydney Kings with just 1.1 seconds on the clock.

161.1

- New Wellington Firebirds signing Shaun Tait boasts the second-fastest ball ever record in cricket - clocked at 161.1kph in a one-dayer against England in 2010. After three elbow surgeries, the 29-year-old Australian has eased off a tad and now operates exclusively as a Twenty20 gun for hire.

49

- When Italian football side Juventus lost 3-1 to Inter Milan last weekend, it ended their unbeaten streak at 49 games.

Juventus, who went without defeat to win the Scudetto last season, fell short of the all-time record of 58 games unbeaten set

by AC Milan from 1991-1993.

80,000,000

- The reported value of the AIG shirt

By Michael Brown

1. Keeping up appearances

The All Blacks have played some sublime rugby this year under new coach Steve Hansen and have the chance to go through a calendar year unbeaten (John Hart’s team of 1997 was the last to achieve it).

But a lot of that will be undone if they trip up against Scotland, Italy, Wales or England. Defeat will leave a stain against the side and leave many looking back on 2012 with only qualified satisfaction.

2. The streak

They might have missed out on one world record - the 18-18 draw with Australia scuppered any chance of establishing a new winning streak - but they are still on course to set a new unbeaten record. Their unbeaten run sits on 17 games and they need another seven to overtake what the All Blacks achieved from 1987 to 1990. The current side want to be known as one of the world’s best ever, and to reinforce they are deserved world champions. To enter the pantheon, however, they need to hold at least one record.

3. Northern chill

It’s okay to lose to South Africa

Standout captions from last week’s odd pictures

SPORT

sponsorship deal with the All Blacks. The five-year agreement is said to be worth approximately $15m a season, falling some way short of the $28 million a year the American insurers paid Manchester United to appear on the red shirt from 2006-2010.

Sportstalk

14

- Fourteen-year-old Guan Tianlang, a middle school student from China, will become the youngest golfer to ever play in the Masters next April. Guan won the AsiaPacific amateur championship in Thailand last weekend to earn his ticket and beat the record previously held by 16-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero.

167

- The weight in kilograms of Joseph Parker’s opponent in the young heavyweight’s second professional fight. Parker will be outweighed by 61.5kg in tonight’s bout against Terry Tuteru, a man without a win in 10 professional fights and who last stepped in the ring in 2007.

6 - The Melbourne Tigers

this week signed American point guard Jonny Flynn to replace onetime Breakers hero Kevin Bracewell on their roster. Flynn was selected by the

occasionally, even Australia, but defeat to a northern hemisphere side is unacceptable.

The All Blacks have not been beaten by Italy (11 wins from 11) or Scotland (26 wins, two draws) and were last beaten by Wales in 1953. The last time that England triumphed was in consecutive games in 2002 (31-28 at Twickenham) and 2003 (15-13 at Westpac Stadium) and it’s not something that can change now, if only to keep the northern scribes and fans quiet(er). They haven’t lost a game on a northern tour since 2002 and won’t want to start now.

4

. Hansen could truly flush the dunny and move on Coach Steve Hansen has probably already moved out of the considerable shadow cast

by Sir Graham Henry but a defeat will only see some of the doubts about him return.

There were many who questioned Hansen’s original appointment, even going as far to suggest the All Blacks would be in something of a holding pattern until the likes of Todd Blackadder, Jamie Joseph or even Pat Lam were ready to take over. Hansen has deliberately implemented a different game plan to the

“Thanks for nothing! It might be free but I can’t stand the taste!”

- Merv C

Minnesota Timberwolves at No 6 overall in the 2009 NBA draft but, after playing for three teams, he has decided to try his luck down under.

1

- The number of Herald journalists blocked from the Scotland rugby team’s press conference in Edinburgh yesterday. The Scottish Rugby Union took exception to comments from a Herald columnist decrying the country’s standard of play, leading to a journalist from nzherald.co.nz being denied access to the Scottish team naming.

0

- There has yet to be a full match after four attempts on the Black Caps’ tour of Sri Lanka.

The solitary Twenty20 was abandoned after only 16 overs before the first ODI was washed out without a ball

being bowled. The second and third ODIs have resulted in Sri Lankan victories, but only with the aid of Messrs Duckworth and Lewis.

17 - The numbers of minutes

needed for the 14,000 tickets released for next year’s Wellington Sevens to sell out. That was positively pedestrian compared to last year, when the tickets were snapped up in just three minutes.

- APNZ

The ABs have to win all four games one employed by Henry and it has produced an attractive and successful style - so far.

5. Some

players’ All Blacks careers depend on it

Hansen has introduced a number of new players in 2012 and it’s reasonable to believe the future looks bright but there are a handful who have been picked on reputation rather than merit. This tour could well be the last opportunity Ali Williams and Piri Weepu, in particular, have to convince selectors and fans they are still genuine All Blacks. Both have had difficult years Williams with injury and

“You want stick? I’ll give you stick!”

- Merv C

“Good golly, I had better hurry this shot before Dave Askin turns up!” - Merv C

Weepu with form - and there are plenty of players emerging in their position ready to step up. - APNZ

“I’ve been very fortunate to ride some champions and he’s up there in the top ten.” Melbourne Cup-winning jockey BRETT PREBBLE on his mount Green Moon.

* * * * “We try and keep it in the guys’ heads as much as possible so dossiers aren’t left lying around,” a sarcastic South African captain GRAEME SMITH when asked if he had a similar file after Australia’s alleged game-plan on the Proteas was splashed across News Ltd papers ahead of the first Test at the Gabba.

* * * * “The incoming batsman for South Africa is Hamish Amla,” the SCG ground announcer gets himself a bit mixed up while introducing South Africa’s star batsman Hashim Amla for their tour match with Australia A.

* * * * “It is hard to envisage any circumstance where an agreement could be approved that allowed a current NRL player to promote another code competing in the same market as an NRL team.”

- NRL interim chief executive SHANE MATTISKE dashes a plan by DANNY BUDERUS to work with the Brumbies.

* * * * “The mailman doesn’t celebrate every time he delivers. It’s his job.” - Adelaide United’s DARIO VIDOSIC on his restrained behaviour after scoring against his former club Brisbane Roar.

* * * * “I just got caught up in the moment and I was trying to get the people a Big Mac.” - Chicago centre JOAKIM NOAH regrets taking a three-point shot which would’ve lifted the Bulls above 100 points in their NBA match against Orlando - giving fans a free McDonald’s burger.

* * * * “Every chance is an opportunity.” - SEBASTIAN VETTEL after being sent to the back of the grid at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to a rule infraction.

Vettel would go on to improve an incredible 21 positions, finishing third.

* * * * “Actually, I’m not a big fan of how much it’s rammed down your throat in Australia, in terms of how much you can bet on who farts at what stage in a football match.” - F1 driver MARK WEBBER deriding Australia’s huge gambling culture.

* * * * “Indoors, I’ve been very successful over the years. (I) probably won the most titles indoors - maybe more than all the other guys combined.” - ROGER FEDERER has the facts to back up superstar status.

- AAP

“If I sink, its goodbye baritone career.”

- Kevin M

“I am the Egg-Man!”

- Brent T

Weekend

SPORT

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

Setting the right course

By Jonathan Leask

Photo Kirsty Graham 091112-KG-129

International course designer Gerrit Beker checks the height of the biggest jump, an exact 1.60m, which riders will come across at the South Island Show Jumping Championships in Ashburton this weekend.

International Course designer Gerrit Beker was impressed with what he had to work with at the Ashburton Showgrounds this week.

Beker, one of the few international course designers in the country, has prepared the courses for this weekend’s South Island Show Jumping Championships, and liked the setting he had to work with at the showgrounds.

“The size of the ring is perfect and the ground is good and those are two important aspects,” Beker said.

Beker was also in awe of the Southern Alps backdrop for the three show rings he was designing, which is more than just putting a series of jumps out in the ring.

“First you have to consider the classes you are catering for. Then you start working out the heights, spreads and lines the rider will take.”

He compared it to writing a test.

“Basically you prepare a series of questions and the riders have to resolve them.

“They have to work out how many strides between each obstacle to successfully clear the jump and what is the most efficient line to take in order to achieve that.”

Beker has a lot of help to put the jumps into position, but once in place, he does the rounds meticulously making sure everything correct, with no detail overlooked.

“You want to make sure the course is not too hard to remember or just too hard, but you also don’t want too many clear rounds and the course being too light.

“You have to make it challenging enough without being too difficult.”

Seeing the odd rail drop is a pleasing for a designer, but when a horse a rears up it’s a moment of anxiety.

“If it’s the first horse of the day it sets the heart going and you start thinking if you have made it too hard or is it just that combination.”

Beker had spent two days working out his “test” that will be taken by a record number of entries for the first of the three star events of the South Island season, starting today at 8am.

21

• Goldie leaves Harbour Skills coach Jeff Wilson has ended his association with North Harbour Rugby. The union held a farewell for him last week. North Harbour, coached by Liam Barry, endured a wretched year in the ITM Championship, recording one win in 10 matches and finishing seven points behind second-last placegetter Manawatu.

The union’s administration is coming under increasing fire from union diehards who believe not enough has been done to equip the team with the resources needed to compete at ITM Cup level. Wilson, who represented his country at the highest level at rugby and cricket, will instead focus on his family and media commit- NZH ments.

• Warriors complete The assembly of the Warriors brains trust for 2013 is complete, with long-time Matthew Elliott ally Andrew McFadden joining the club from the Canberra Raiders. McFadden’s appointment was delayed as he negotiated a release from the Raiders.

One half of the livewire Mac Attack halves duo alongside Mark McLinden at the Raiders at the turn of the century, a chronic groin injury forced McFadden into retirement at just 26. Since then he has served his coaching apprenticeship at Canberra, initially under Elliott and then David Furner, with his time in Canberra split by a two-season stint assisting Mick Potter at Super League club Catalans Dragons. - APNZ

• Guptill ‘refreshed’ While test specialists have been playing domestic cricket to gear up for the upcoming twotest series against Sri Lanka, the well-rested Martin Guptill has taken to the nets to face schoolboy bowlers. Guptill, who was recently named New Zealand’s Player of the Year for 2011/12 season, was given a complete rest from the game after a heavy diet of cricket over the past 15 months.

- APNZ

Ice blocks order of the day

By Myles Hume

Photos Kirsty Graham

091112-kg-059

Above: Allenton’s Sam Milner gives it his all in the boys 7yr 50m sprint.

Right: Hannah O’Reilly from St Joseph’s goes for maximum distance in the long jump.

091112-kg-048

It was not just a case of competing with one another at the Ashburton County Athletics day yesterday.

Blistering sun without a breath of wind provided another obstacle for the more than 400 of Mid Canterbury’s top primary school athletes who ran, jumped and threw their way towards the all-important Canterbury Primary Athletics Championships on December 5.

Ice blocks and cool drinks ended up being a necessity for pupils at the Ashburton Domain who congregated around the Netherby School tent.

“Yeah, ice blocks have been all the rage today,” said Netherby School Fundraising Committee convener Michelle Cribb.

Co-ordinator Ray White said the children were blessed with such a stunning day after it was almost given the cut last year due to rain and hail.

The pupils were also treated to high quality facilities, most notably the new all-weather high jump surface.

The top pupils from each event in their respective age group will go on to represent Mid Canterbury.

Photo Kirsty Graham 091112-KG-026

Monica Barnes rolls up at the Bowman Cup at Ashburton Bowling Club yesterday. The competition was won by the Noeline McKenzie four who claimed three wins, 22 ends and 48 points. The Joan Krammer-skipped combination came in second with three wins, 18 ends and 45 points while with two wins a draw and 15 ends Margret Eders four were third.

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ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

Weekend

SPORT

Thomson a starter for first AB test

By Gregor Paul

A new midfield combination, the return of a slimmed down Piri Weepu and the introduction of Adam Thomson are the major points of interest in the All Black side selected to play Scotland on Monday morning (NZT).

There are also places on the bench for new caps Dane Coles and Tawera Kerr-Barlow and a recall for Wyatt Crockett.

As promised, All Black coach Steve Hansen has made wholesale changes from the last encounter in Brisbane.

The coach wants everyone in his 32-man squad to play some part in the first two tests of this tour, but there was never any intention to split into an A and B team.

Despite making nine personnel

changes from the 18-18 draw in Brisbane, the All Black side to face Scotland still carries close to 800 test caps, with most units boasting at least one highly experienced operator.

The exception is the midfield where Tamati Ellison at second five-eighths has been paired with Ben Smith at centre.

The Highlanders duo were originally selected back in June as utility backs but, as the season has progressed, the thinking has evolved.

While both continue to impress with their versatility, the coaching panel see them as a potential back-up midfield combination to the incumbent pairing of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

“We wanted to form a combination and we think there is a bit of combination there anyway from the Highlanders,” said Hansen on why the decision was made to pair Smith and

Ellison rather than split Nonu and Smith.

“The combination of Conrad and Ma’a is going well and we need to keep working on that as well.

“Looking to the future, we think the Ma’a/Conrad combination is probably going to play later in the series and this [Smith and Ellison] is a combination that is going to spend a lot of time together I should think at the Highlanders and maybe future All Black teams.”

Weepu, having responded to management requests to drop more weight and up his fitness, earns his second start of 2012.

“We gave him some pretty strong, clear guidelines before we picked the team and he has met those, hence why we are seeing a sharper, fitter Piri,” said Hansen.

The other message given to Weepu

is that the All Blacks want to continue with the high-octane game they have been playing with Aaron Smith at halfback.

The introduction of the new rule giving teams a maximum of only five seconds to clear the ball from the base of rucks is causing little concern.

The All Blacks fancy they are a twosecond team anyway and the pressure will be on Weepu to make sure they are.

The pressure is also on Thomson to deliver a performance that keeps him in the frame to earn a starting spot later in the tour with Victor Vito, shifted to No 8 charged with the same task.

“It’s a big game for [Vito] and Adam Thomson as both of them have been given an opportunity to come out and really stamp themselves in this contest,” Hansen said.

- HOS

23

• Wallabies on a quest The Wallabies’ quest to go through a full European tour undefeated for the first time since 1996 begins at Stade de France tomorrow morning when they meet a team desperate to stop the rot at home against Australia. The tourists are also chasing a record-equalling sixth straight victory over France in Paris with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans warning his side to brace for an early French onslaught. “They’ve got a big pack and they’ll want to use them,” Deans said. “Whenever you play the French, you’ve got to earn respect first and foremost. It will mean these (Wallabies) blokes rolling their sleeves up and earning any right that we get to play because there will be no short cuts.” The likes of Australian lock Kane Douglas and Wycliff Palu are sure to have some spirited exchanges with firebrands like French captain Pascal Pape, who stated during the week this will be a game retiring Wallabies’ skipper Nathan Sharpe will soon want to forget.

- AAP

• Italy game on TV live

All Blacks All Black team to play Scotland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, on Monday (3.30am NZT): Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Ma’a Nonu.

Scotland will need to be brave photo odt

By Gregor Paul

Not since 1990, really, and maybe fleetingly in 1999, has anyone really feared the Scots.

Back in 1990, they could play.

Gavin and Scott Hastings, Finlay Calder, John Jeffrey, Derek White, Gary Armstrong and David Sole - tough men, good players, British Lions, the lot.

There was a smart coaching duo in operation back then, too, with Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer.

They were the ultimate good cop, bad cop pairing - Telfer often more fearsome than any opposition players the Scots would meet on the field.

The 1990 vintage were memorably good.

They won a Grand Slam and then came out to New Zealand and came within a whisker of a victory at Eden Park.

What is hard to recall now is that not only were they a good

side, but they also had belief and passion.

Just this week Sean Lineen, the original kilted Kiwi who played second-five in that team, recalled how the team had realised after losing the first test in Dunedin that they had been crippled by their respect for the All Blacks, a respect that had bordered on fear.

Lineen said captain David Soul’s wife had rung after the loss to say it looked like the team had been beaten before kick-off.

They reviewed the tape and, sure enough, the body language during the haka was defensive, timid even.

So come the second encounter in Auckland, the Scots dug deep into the rich well of history and remembered that throughout time the nation had been defined by its sense of defiance.

If nothing else, Scots have forever been gloriously brave.

William Wallace died in physical agony but mentally his world was at peace - he certain-

ly didn’t die wondering.

Lineen and his team-mates came so close to a famous win in 1990 because they were not only gifted, but they were also committed and passionate.

The teams that preceded for much of the next period were not so gifted, but always just as committed and passionate.

Sheer belligerence and a willing to die for the cause were all Scotland had for much of the early professional age.

Sadly, and this is the reason there appears to be virtually no hope among the locals of a massive surprise against the All Blacks on Monday morning (NZT), Scotland have too often misplaced their passion in recent years when they have played the All Blacks and lamely accepted their fate in advance.

To many in Edinburgh, Monday’s encounter will be yet another inevitable procession to defeat, a functional side going through the motions until they are out of their misery.

Mentally, the All Blacks own Scotland.

In 2007, Scotland bottled the chance to make history when they picked their second team at the World Cup to play the All Blacks in the pool stages.

That wasn’t the Scottish way.

In 2008, there was only fleeting resistance before the Scots slipped away quietly to a 32-6 defeat.

Their last encounter was maybe the nadir.

They were routed 49-3 and had given up after 30 minutes.

No belief, no passion, no hope - it was a long 80 minutes as it will be on Monday unless Scotland can locate that piece of DNA deep within and throw the kitchen sink at the All Blacks.

There are obvious places where the Scots will be second best on Monday morning, but, while they can’t match the All Blacks for creativity, ball skills or speed, there is no reason why they can’t play with greater desire.

- HOS

Rugby fans can breathe easy - the All Blacks’ test against Italy next weekend will be shown live after all.

After being locked in negotiations to secure the broadcasting rights to the match, Sky TV yesterday confirmed the match would indeed be screened live on Sky Sport 1.

Earlier this week Sky released its broadcast schedule for the rest of the year and the All Blacks’ match with Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Rome was conspicuous by its absence. Sky spokeswoman Kirsty Way said the fee, which Sky bases on potential viewership the match brings, was the stumbling point. But that has evidently been overcome to avoid the ignominy of having an All Blacks match go uncovered for the first time in the professional era. Way said the last time the broadcast of an All Blacks match was threatened was during the 2001 end-of-year tour when Telstra Clear acquired the rights but got into difficulty and ended up selling the rights to Sky. - APNZ

• Heartland team for today Heartland XV rugby team to play Samoa A at Apia Park, Samoa, today (1.30pm NZT): Billy Guyton, Tau Moeke, Pomare Samupo, Fa’aitu Tuamoheloa, Nathan Hunt, Mark Davis, Andrew Stephens, Darren Munro, Peter Rowe (c), Sione Ngatu, Aarin Dunster, Ben Coman, Shaun McDonough, Ngarimu Simpkins, Mat Fetu. Reserves: Nathan Tubbs, Ralph Darling, Nic Cranston, Fraser Hammond, Ben Draper, Lemisio Masoe, Cameron Hayton. - APNZ

• Rest for Super players Robbie Deans admits there will be “fear-mongering” if a plan to have Super Rugby players rotated during the season is approved but says a fine-tuned version of what he’s proposing should go ahead. Deans last week floated the idea of rotating players during the next Super Rugby season to limit their workloads as the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) seeks to avoid a repeat of this year’s huge injury toll. It prompted NSW coach Michael Cheika to say franchises would have to be financially compensated if they were left without their top players, particularly if provinces’ bottom lines were affected. Deans said yesterday it was important to wait until specific details of the proposal were fleshed out before getting too carried away.

“There will be fear-mongering - it will occur. There’s nothing to it,” Deans said. Cheika said he was confident in the Waratahs’ ability to manage their players’ workloads successfully but was happy to dis- AAP cuss the proposal.

24

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

Weekend

SPORT

Bob’s the stat man

By Jonathan Leask Everything you need to know about Mid Canterbury cricket you can find from Bob Bruhns.

Bruhns has been the man behind the score book for the last 20 years, and worked tirelessly to compile a history of Mid Canterbury cricket.

They’re efforts that have seen him become a life member of Mid Canterbury Cricket.

“It’s a huge honour,” Bruhns said.

Without dwelling on the enormity of the award Bruhns, a stat-happy history nut, quickly fired out the history on the honour.

“The life membership awards were voted in at the AGM in 1947 with Ron Biggar the first recipient in 1948, and I’m the 15th life member, following the late Bevan Stroud before me.”

As the Mid Canterbury Cricket historian Bruhns has compiled files upon files of Mid Canterbury cricket history, stats, results and player records.

You name it, Bob probably has it.

“If I can’t think of it, I will have it written down here somewhere.

“I’ve spent countless hours,

time and money collating all the data.

“I have most of the score sheets dating back to 1949, and newspaper clippings dating back to 1920-21 when Ashburton County became affiliated to New Zealand Cricket, but also a few bits and pieces dating back to 1877 when cricket started to be played here.”

Cricket is Bruhns passion and has been a huge part of his life for a long time.

“Ever since I was in primary school.

“I played for years and then became an umpire, but when I got my bifocals and my focus wasn’t as sharp I decided it was unfair on the players so I took up the score book.”

After moving to Mid Canterbury from down south Bruhns played two seasons of senior cricket before giving playing the game away and concentrating on taking the scores rather than making them.

This year he marked 20 years as the Mid Canterbury representative team’s scorer.

His first game was a two-day match between Ashburton and North Canterbury in Methven starting on November 21, 1992.

“I’ve covered just over 150 Mid Canterbury senior representative games.

“The biggest game would be when we won the Hawke Cup in Whangarei in 2004.”

It isn’t just Mid Canterbury games, he has scored at the women’s world cup at Lincoln in 2000 and the under 19 World Cup in the 2001/2002 season, with his highest achievement being a One Day International between New Zealand and Pakistan at Jade Stadium in 2001.

Disappearing every Saturday over summer and spending countless hours tracking down score sheets and match results during the week would be a enough to make a man’s better half go stir crazy, but Bob’s wife June was also put to work.

“She has been helping out. I do all the research, she has typed it all into the archive.”

In his 21st year as scorer and with the archive almost completed he’s starting to think about hanging up his pen.

“They keep telling me I can’t quit, but the day will come when someone has to take over but they will have a dream job with all the hard work done.

“I just hope someone carries it on.”

• Croquet kids victors Ashburton College’s Adam Greaney and Andrew Hawthorne took out the championship at the Aorangi secondary school pairs playoffs in Timaru this week, and will now go on to the Croquet Nationals at Palmerston North in March.

Three rounds were played between Waitaki Boys High, Timaru Boys High, Timaru Girls High and Ashburton College with the Ashburton pair winning all of their games.

• Straight into action Colin Batch’s first trip as Black Sticks men’s hockey coach will be to Melbourne, the city of his birth, for next month’s Champions Trophy.

Before that he will have to select the team following an Olympic campaign which came up short of some expectations and led to some players stepping away, temporarily at least, from the international scene. Batch has moved from Belgium, where he coached their national men’s team from 2010, and will have little time to settle on the 18 players he will take to Melbourne for the December - NZH 1-9 tournament.

• Lee’s Tour future shaky Danny Lee will need to produce something special if he is to hold onto his US PGA Tour card for next year after making a poor start to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Lake Buena Vista, Florida, yesterday. The New Zealand No 1 carded a disappointing two over par 74 in the opening round to lie in a share of 96th, 10 shots off the lead.

He parred the first 12 holes before bogeys at 13 and 18 to leave him 10 shots behind leader Charlie Wi of South Korea and needing to shoot a low score in the second round just to make the cut. - APNZ

• Proteas dominating

Photo Kirsty Graham 041112-KG-038

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Above: Bob Bruhns collating the scores in Mid Canterbury senior cricket’s latest match in his 21st season as scorer.

South Africa’s batsmen dominated as Australia endured their worst opening-day performance at the Gabba since their last Test loss at the venue 24 years ago. The world No.1-ranked Proteas doused the hosts’ disappointing bowling attack to be 2-255 when bad light stopped play with eight overs remaining yesterday afternoon. High-class duo Hashim Amla (90 not out) and Jacques Kallis (84 not out) were in commanding form for - APNZ South Africa.

Weekend

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

SPORT

25

Baillie’s right on track

By Jonathan Leask Baillie Perriton is on track to be a national champion.

This year he was picked up

by Merv Orford’s Kiwstars race team, and is being fast tracked towards a tilt at the superbike national championships early next year.

“He impressed me the first time I saw him on a bike,” Orford said.

“After I had set up my own racing team I knew he was a rider I wanted and made an offer to take him on-board.”

For the 14-year-old it was an offer too good to be true, he accepted and joined Orford’s team back in June in what was

supposed to be a development season, but the youngster is quickly exceeding expectations.

Perriton was promoted up to the 250 production class and received a rough introduction.

“His first time racing was in miserable wet conditions, nightmare conditions for a young rider making his debut in a new class, and he came off in the first race.

“A crash can put a lot of riders off and really knock their confidence, but he climbed right back on for race two and after being a bit cautious he came in third.”

Moving up from the 150cc to the 250cc was a big change.

“He found it very different being a bigger bike and the dif-

ference between a two-stroke and four stroke engine.

“It was a bit heavier than he was used to so he basically had to completely change his racing style.”

Having never raced outside of the South Island, Orford took Perriton north to Taupo to test his young rider’s skills at an all new venue.

“It was to see how he would cope adjusting to a new track and how he would adapt but he exceeded expectations to be was first overall.

“It was his first time on the track and he only had one day of practice but he came third, then second and then first.”

What was supposed to be a test was almost a master class.

“It was a good learning experience and now I’ll know what to expect when I go back for the national series.

“We are doing the same at Hampton Downs in December,” Bailie said.

The national championship series starts in January, with three races in the South Island and two in the North Island in March, and is now the ultimate goal of the season.

“Originally the plan was to be a development season and just see how he went and then have a real crack at the championship next year, but he has exceeded expectations and at this stage he might be a shot at a place this season,” Baillie’s father Damian said.

“The only variable is we aren’t entirely sure exactly who will be entering.

“Some experienced guys might come out of the woodwork and we have heard rumours that the Australians are looking at coming over.”

Even though the14-year-old in just his third season will ride against experienced adults, Orford believes he has what it takes.

“He has certainly got the talent and has shown he can really race,” Orford said.

He has a lot of racing still to come to fine tune his skills starting today, when he looks to maintain his lead in the King of the Road series at Ruapuna in the third round of racing.

Baillie Perriton in full-throttle action on his Kawasaki

Ready to go: a proud Baillie with his racing machine

Cup Week Trots Available for Cup Week Trots.

Thursday, November 15 First race at 1.05pm

Gold Passes – NOW AVAILABLE for the Cup week Trots.

Exclusive area for a great view of the races

Only $50 Gold Card includes beer, wine and food

To secure yours, phone Gareth at the Ashburton Trotting Club on 308-6794

http://www.facebook.com/AshburtonTC

www.ashburtontc.co.nz

26

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Saturday, November 10, 2012

weekend crossword number 395 across

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SAT 25 AUGUST SOLUTIONS

2 Letting down. 13 Fairly. 14 Hinder. 16 Spat.17 Varnished. 18 Cheat. 19 Poor. 20 Offhanded.22 Board. 23 Arresting. 27 Fissure.

30 Brenda. 31 Reel. 32 Money. 35 Draw. 36 Bondage. 38 Heel. 39 Refrain. 42 Hot dog. 45 Tiers. 46 Biscuit. 47 Ever. 48 Ring. 50 Arrival.

52 Astir. 54 Tackle. 56 Besides. 57 Trip. 59 Learned. 61 Will. 64 Spots. 66 Deal. 67 Scared. 69 Spartan. 72 Doing well. 73 Minus. 74 Gives away. 79 Plot. 81 Range. 82 Goes under.83 Tosh. 85 Finale.

86 Lets up. 87 Having words.

DOWN:1 Keep. 2 Stitch. 3 Uneven. 4 Adorned. 5 Twain. 6 Balderdash. 7 Crack. 8 By degrees. 9 Shatter. 10 Snap. 11 Denounce. 15 Thrown. 21 Flier. 24 Too true. 25 Crease. 26 Briefs.

28 Sawed. 29 Rob. 33 In store. 34 Beat it. 37 Easel. 40 Ideal. 41 Current. 43 Olive. 44 Graves. 46 Brawl. 49 Glisten. 51 Verily. 53 Traced. 55 Cower. 58 Passing out. 60 Dip. 62 Llama. 63 Feelingly.

65 Proclaim. 68 Amuses. 70 Swarmed. 71 Disdain. 75 Enrage. 76 Action. 77 Testy. 78 Cuban. 80 Trap. 84 Side.

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