Marlborough Weekly 25 October 2022

Groundswell

Touch returns

Road closed, why not fly?

ANDREW BOARD

A new air service between Blenheim and Nelson is being set up to help people get between the two regions while the main state highway con necting them is closed for repairs. Both the Marlborough and Nelson airports have waved their landing fees for the service to help lower the costs for travellers and the Nelson Mayoral Relief Fund is kicking in $10 for each seat to make it even more affordable.

The initiative comes on the back of Waka Ko tahi closing State Highway 6 between Hira and Renwick for repairs to the sections of road that were significantly damaged in August’s floods. The only other route connecting the regions is via Wairau Valley, which is likely to add another hour to each trip.

The air service has only been guaranteed for two weeks from November 1 but will be extended for the full seven weeks if there is sufficient de mand.

Nelson Mayor-elect Nick Smith brokered the deal between the airports and Origin and says around 4000 vehicles use the State Highway dai ly.

“The greatest benefit of these flights will be less disruption to public services like health during the State Highway closure. There are dozens of health professionals that commute between Nelson and Blenheim who were facing over five

song

School pool blues

A cracked school pool has left students high

Redwood Hub Shopping Centre, Redwoodtown

Come

for the biggest range of eBikes right here in Blenheim!

Students Maddie Parkes and Jett Waters in Grovetown School’s broken, empty pool. Photo: Matt Brown.

Peggy McPhee

No, it’s the way things are. The monarchy has been a stabilis ing force in my lifetime.

Marco Romagnoli

I’m a guest in this country, so I really respect what New Zea lander’s choose. I grew up in a republic, and it worked fine, but I don’t feel attached to it.

Now Queen Elizabeth II has passed, would you support New Zealand becoming a republic?

Estella Romagnoli

Definitely become a republic. I think the monarchy is a whole lot of rubbish. King Charles is outdated and out of touch. At least politicians have to work to get voted in. Monarchs get in by birthright.

No. I grew up in various places around the planet and the only commonality many of them had was the monarchy. It links the places I grew up.

Emissions protest swells at Seymour

Marlborough farmers have again joined forces as part of a nationwide protest.

More than 100 people from across the region gathered at Seymour Square on Thursday to object to the government’s recently revealed emissions pricing scheme.

The demonstration is in re sponse to the Government’s document released earlier this month proposing to tax farm ers for emissions on food pro duction.

Tractors and utes parked up around the square as part of the popular Groundswell protest which initially began in Gore. Key speakers spoke to the small crowd, explaining why the ad vocacy group wants to see a stop to unworkable rules which they say unfairly impact farm ers and rural communities.

Protestors gathered at Seymour Square on Thursday. Photos: Matt Brown.

Adam Scorer

Daughter’s transplant gift for devoted dad

PAULA HULBURT paula@topsouthmedia.co.nz

A dad of three is recovering from kidney transplant surgery for the second time.

Two-time New Zealand pro vincial rugby player and rowing champ Colin Timms is home in Picton after almost two months in hospital.

And the 63-year-old year now has four kidneys following the successful surgery.

Wife Shirley Timms says all three of the couple’s “beautiful girls” of fered to be donors for their dad.

“It was a total shock; he wasn’t even thinking of a whanau donor and was resigned to going back on dialysis.

“All three beautiful girls offered to be a kidney donor, but due to Natalie’s determination to be a donor and having tests, it all be came very real.

“Colin and Natalie underwent surgery in Wellington Hospital in August.”

While Natalie was able to go home after a week, fears that Col in’s new kidney wasn’t perform

ing properly meant he was only discharged earlier this month.

The former carpenter says he is feeling brighter and looking for ward to improving more with time.

A keen whitebaiter, Colin has already been out for a look but hopes to be back in action for next season.

After being diagnosed with glo merulonephritis when he was 18 years old, Colin’s kidneys started to fail.

He had his first transplant when he was 37 years old. He then went onto dialysis and a machine was installed at the couple’s Picton home.

For five years, dialysis three days a week kept him alive until a de ceased donor was found.

“Colin continued chasing pigs, deer, duck, whitebait and fish and dived for seafood but it got hard er over the years, we’re so happy, busy days are still to come.

“Colin hoped he never would need another transplant,” Shirl explains.

“Originally, they told him that if the kidney did not reject, they

could guarantee 10 years and Colin got 21 years. We’re all pret ty happy about that.

“Being a donor is the greatest gift of all and our families and friends have been very supportive.”

Natalie says choosing to be a do nor for her dad was an easy de

cision but he took some convinc ing.

“I truly just feel privileged and honoured that I was physically able to be able to do this for dad.

“I’m thankful I was able to try give dad back that quality in his life and to still be here and able to

go on adventures with his grand children.”

Te Whatu Ora say there about 600 people in New Zealand are waiting for a kidney transplant. Live donor transplants are less common because of recipient health issues, 85 transplants were done in New Zealand last year us ing live donors compared to 180 overall.

Natalie, an accountant, is urging others to consider the possibility of becoming a donor and add that to their driver’s licence.

“Helping give someone a bet ter quality of life is priceless. Do your research and understand the risks but also know the remarka ble pros for that person.

“Openly discuss it all with your family and friends and even talk to someone that has been through this process before hand. Donation of any organs whether you are a live or de ceased donor is an incredible gift to give.”

To find out more about becoming an organ donor contact Organ Donation New Zealand on 0800 4 DONOR (0800 436 667)

Natalie and Colin Timms hope more people will consider organ do nation. Photo: Sarah Brown.

Family call for closure in homicide case

Jessica Boyce was 27 years old when she disappeared on March 19, 2019. File photo.

“We continue to urge any one who has information about Jessica’s disappearance to contact Marlborough Po lice,” he says.

Aaron says he believes police share the sense of frustration felt by Jess’s family, friends and wider.

He says while he is “disap pointed” no arrests have been made; he wants to thank police for their efforts.

“I understand that work dili gently continues in the back ground and wish to thank po lice in their ongoing pursuit of justice for Jess.”

“The recent media coverage of a $100,000 reward offered 24 years on from the disappear ance of Kirsty Bentley offers two stark reminders to people

in our situation; that justice can take time, and that the po lice won’t rest.”

Aaron says the disappearance of other young people across New Zealand is a cause for concern.

Losing Jess has made him more aware of similar cases.

“Family and friends of Jess continue to hope for a break through in all these cases and stand in solidarity with every one struggling through a sim ilar situation.”

Anyone who has any informa tion about where Jess can be found can contact her friends and family anonymously on a messaging app called Wickr, which is free to download and untraceable. Search justice 4jess.

Getting creative

AMY RUSS

A celebration of town and country with a plethora of displays and com petition on offer, the Marlborough A&P Show will have something for everyone.

Showcasing the handiwork of tal ented individuals in the community, the Creative Handmade competi tion is always a crowd favourite.

Ranging from cooking to photogra phy and floral arrangements to pro duce, with everything in between, the section highlights the sometimes surprising talents of Marlburians.

“Everybody has a talent and we are here to showcase what people are capable of creating,” says organiser Fiona Higgins.

“There are some amazing prizes up

tions, produce sections and home preserve sections the Creative cate gories know no bounds.

Sewing is open to clothing, house hold items, wall hangings, quilts and toys, while the needlecraft and handcraft include knitting, crochet, weaving, felting and spinning.

Sections for cross-stitch, embroi dery, patchworks, quilt work art work, jewellery and flax work will also be open for entries.

Photography is based on a novice and open section and organisers are excited to introduce the newest category added to the list, Floral Ar ranging.

Marlborough A&P Show is on the weekend of November 5 and 6.

Entry forms are available online from marlboroughshow.

xtra.co.nz for more

Famed painter’s swan song

MATT BROWN

A renowned Marlborough painter is gearing up for what could be his final swan song.

Paintings of family and famous Marlburians adorn the walls of famed water colourist Brian Baxter’s Blenheim home.

A full-time artist for nearly 50 years, this year Brian will be the headline guest and judge at the national exhibition of Watercolour New Zealand Inc, Splash 2022.

The honour is a bookend to his art career which began with the Kelliher Art Award in land scape in 1977.

“It’s a big thing for me. It’s sort of a swan song, I suppose,” Bri an says.

Born in Kaikōura 81 years ago, Brian started as a win dow dresser at Thomas’ out of school.

He learnt ticket writing, then got a job as a signwriter in Christchurch.

“I started my own sign writing business in Blenheim – then art.”

Brian was mentored by anoth er famous New Zealand paint er, “a damn good artist, and good man” Aston Greathead.

Featuring in exhibitions from Wellington to Washington DC – Brian says he’s still nervous about judging at the upcoming exhibition.

“Being the blinking judge of other artists that have more abilities than myself.

“It’s like reffing a game of rug by – sometimes it’s a matter of opinion.”

He says there are a lot of peo ple who pretend to know about art. He tries to avoid the pre tention.

“The most interesting thing about some art is the flowery caption underneath from the judges. You have to learn art speak,” he laughs.

“There’s a saying: I don’t know much about art – but I know

what I like. It holds true.”

A keen musician, Brian says music and art go together.

“All music ever written use 12 notes. All paintings are done in three colours.

“Melodies and harmonies – it’s like painting. Colours either fight or complement each oth er.”

His number one tip for aspir ing artists: do the brush miles.

“Learn by making mistakes,” he says. “Get those first 1000 mistakes out of the way. I’m on to my second 1000 now. He says he will never stop painting; there’s still too much to learn.

“You’re never finished com pletely, as an artist,” says Brian.

“Maybe a swan song is too fi nal.”

A highlight of the New Zea land Arts calendar, the annu al Splash exhibition begins Saturday 5 November at the Academy Galleries in Welling ton.

Air alternative for Nelson route

FROM

hours of driving each day with little time left to see patients and provide care.

“There will also be dozens of businesspeople and other trav ellers who will see it as a better alternative than the long drive.

There is also an environmental benefit in that the carbon emis sions from flying are much less than driving a vehicle the 189km each way.”

Nick says the idea for the popup air service came after an approach from Nelson/Marl borough Health staff who were at loss as to how they would

maintain full services while the highway is closed.

“I strongly encourage people to use this air service that we have been able to secure at short no tice. People using this service will not only be reducing their travel time but will be helping others, helping us maintain health services, helping us re duce emissions and helping the local economy through this disruption.”

Origin says the flights are now available for sale with the first flight taking off on November 1. They will depart Nelson at 7.40am and 4pm and from Blenheim at 8.40am and 5pm.

The flight time will be about 20 minutes and there will be two fares available, $89 or $99 (for a flexi changeable or refunda ble fare). The flights will be op erated using the company’s 18 seat Jetstream aircraft.

Nick says that he is grateful to Origin for setting up the ser vice so quickly and to the may ors of Marlborough and Tas man, Nadine Taylor and Tim King for their support and the assistance of Nelson MP Ra chel Boyack in securing addi tional funds from Government for the Mayoral Relief Fund for addressing the disruption from SH6 closure.

Artist Brian Baxter in his studio at his Blenheim home. Photo: Matt Brown.

A creative entry from a former A&P show. File photo.

FROM

Now, the dedicated neighbour hood is rallying to help, applying for grants and selling pies.

A special cookbook has just been released to help raise more than $30,000 needed to repair and up grade the community pool.

Grovetown School principal Eve Sutherland says building chil dren’s swimming confidence could save a life.

“These kids need to learn to swim,” she says. “And our com munity is willing to push for that.”

A former lifeguard, Eve says they have the skills to share – they just need the facilities.

She says the pool, which was built sometime around the 1950’s, isn’t covered by Ministry of Education

funding.

“When the Ministry of Educa tion is allocating funding, play grounds and pools are at the bot tom of the list,” says Eve.

She says there are two options for the pool: a cheaper, quick fix – or doing it properly.

But doing it properly will cost about $33,000.

So, the school’s parent support group have created a cookbook featuring tried-and-true Grove town recipes.

Parent Anneka Waters says the 100-page collection of recipes were submitted by students, staff, families and sponsors.

“There are a few recipes in the cookbook from fourth generation Grovetown families,” she says.

“We put it together ourselves and

Newsinbrief

FILM PREMIERE

Marlborough Multicultural Centre is holding a special gala premiere on Thursday at 6pm at Event Cinemas. Making Marlborough cele brates the ethnic and cultural diversity of the region, telling the stories of migrants who have chosen to make Marlborough home. Tick ets for this feature length documentary, from award winning filmmakers Paul Davidson and Barbara Gibb, are available through Eventbrite.

ROADS READY

Queen Charlotte Drive, from Picton to Have lock has reopened to the public. Parts of Port Underwood Road have also reopened with Waikawa Bay to Whatamango Bay and Rarangi to Whites Bay open. The Picton end of Oyster Bay was set to open on Friday following final safety checks. The reopening of these key routes means over 370km of road has been restored to public access after being severely damaged by the August 2022 storm event.

NEW FIRE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade needs more volunteers and are encouraging people to find out more at one of their training nights. Each year, crews respond to about 450 callouts in cluding fires, medical incidents, motor vehicle accidents and other requests from people in need. Training takes place every Monday night at 6.30pm. Message the brigade’s Facebook page to find out more.

got it printed locally, at Prisma Print. Local businesses have been so supportive.

“The recipes are from families, students, staff and sponsors. They’re all tried and true, every one is a banger.

“It’s quite a cool, eclectic mix.” Eve says it’s not just the pupils that use the pool, but the wider community too.

“Because we’re a school, people think the government give us money,” she says.

“They do, for wages, rates and for essential learning materials. We don’t have money to spare.”

She says $33,000 is just to fix the pool, and if they could raise more – they would look at adding solar heating and upgrade the chang ing rooms so they could use the pool for longer.

Eve says they’re aiming fix the pool through autumn or winter to have it ready to go for next summer.

“School pools are closing more and more,” she says.

“These kids need to learn to swim. It’s for the kids.”

The cookbook releases on No vember 1 and will be available from Bikefit in town, and at the Grovetown School Office for $20 each.

WATER CLEAN-UP

Divers and helpers have hauled a huge amount of rubbish including two baths, two stoves and carpet from the waters around the Kaipupu Point Jetty in Picton Harbour. Waikawa Dive Centre asked for help for their annual spring clean event and 32 people volunteered. Other waste discovered included a 20-litre container full of steel pressings, spoons, cups and a lawn mower.

Grovetown School principal Eve Sutherland, student Maddie Parkes and parent support group member Anneka Waters. Photo: Matt Brown.

Marlborough Art Trail

Premier garden event bigger and better than ever!

Rapaura Springs Garden Marlborough has

alike, every year, for almost thirty years.

AMY RUSS

Driven by a dedicated team of volun teers and garden owners, organisers say the secret to the successful event is that it is run by gardeners, for gardeners. “There is no corporate event company involved,” says committee chair Luke Elworthy. “Just a group of like-minded people who run the event much as they have done since it began. ”People are involved because they care and because they love it, it’s as simple as that. There’s no other event like it.”

Celebrating the region’s stunning land scape, the event showcases the very best Marlborough has to offer with a range of full and half day garden tours across 21 stunning gardens, work shops, and a Garden Party and Garden Fete. Back bigger and better than ever,

the popular Garden Tours encompass everything from compact designer gar dens, through to breath-taking country estates across the region. The Garden Party will be hosted at an amazing new location, with a legendary host, and or ganisers promise everything is in place for an event to remember. “Get glam orous, meet old friends and new, feast on local food from Karaka Kitchen and delicious Rapaura Springs wines and soak up the cool sounds from local musicians, including the truly excellent DJs from Vinyl in the Vines.”

Sunday’s Stihl Shop Garden Fete, to be held at Churchill Glade from 9am until 3pm, is one of the region’s largest free community events with over 200 stalls showcasing a fabulous collection of plants, people, artisan vendors and gar den products, with entertainment from

local artists and a kids activity trail. Every year organisers invite a very high calibre of guest speakers to their work shop programmes, and this year is no exception. “Our keynote speaker is the world-renowned garden designer Paul Bangay. Paul’s garden at Stonefields in Victoria is extraordinary, and he’ll also share stories of his work designing gar dens all over the world. Then there’s a huge range of speakers and workshops, with topics from seed-raising to re generative organic gardening, growing houseplants, natives, and more. You can even learn how New Zealand’s only tequila is grown from Mexican blue agave grown in Golden Bay.”

Held from November 3-6, for more in formation on the weekend’s events go to gardenmarlborough.co.nz

G

F

ROW H

Drop In Time

Pure by the Barrelman

Velvet Ponies

Flouncy Gardenwear

Heavenlea Touch Home & Garden

Peninsula Flowers

St George Boxwood

Rose

Bingo

Helen’s Garden

Bent & Twisted / Roots, Shoots & leaves

Islington

Grow

Selmes Garden Centre

Pot Shed

Hakatere

Myra’s Collection

ROW

Weka Gallery

Jacqueline Hocquard Art

Paula’s Soul Creations

Sound & Stage Tent

Stihl Shop

New Generation Liquorice

Original Smoke & Spice Co / Greenman NZ

Emuology

Rohana & Co / White Wabbit Tea

Genie in a Jar Ltd

Donna’s Corrie Iron Garden Art

Miss Finns

Isobel Olives

Challis Design

Susie’

Jamka Visors

Pure by the Barrelman

Ceramics by Renate

Wow Clothing

Heavenlea Touch Home & Garden

Stihl Shop

Birdcrafter

Original Smoke & Spice Co / Greenman NZ

MT Studio

Rohana & Co / White Wabbit Tea

Genie in a Jar Ltd

Studio 9 Designs

The Company Shed

Earth & Sea Jewellery

Little Gibby

Brent’s Country Furniture

Seddon

Greens Microgreens

Flitches & Slabs

St George Boxwood

Crafted Earth

Lee Pottery & Plants

Larges Rose Nursery

Irresistable Irises

Helen’s Garden Plants

Bent & Twisted / Roots, Shoots & Leaves

Islington Gardens

Verve Flowers

Selmes Garden Centre

The Pot Shed

Fantail Fields

Marlborough Herb Society

Ricky’s Succulents

West Melton Plant Nursery

Deano’s Dogs

Kustom Cooks

Kohatu Kai Ltd

of Europe

Ruca

& Orange Catering

Craft Gelato & Waffles

Thai Food

Mobile

Free COVID antiviral medicines are available

Free oral antiviral medicines are available for people at risk of becoming very unwell from COVID, and free RATs are available for everyone.

Benefits of antiviral medicines

Antiviral medicine can help people be less sick and stay out of hospital. The medicine must be taken within the first 5 days of having COVID symptoms to reduce the amount of virus in the body.

Who can get antiviral medicines

Eligible people include:

• Māori or Pacific people aged 50 years or older

• everyone aged 65 years and older

• anyone aged 50 years or older who has had less than two COVID vaccinations

• anyone with a severely weakened immune system, Down syndrome, sickle cell anaemia, or were previously in critical or high dependency hospital care from COVID.

• anyone with three or more high-risk medical conditions.

For the full list of high-risk medical conditions, visit Covid19.govt.nz/medicines

When to get antiviral medications

To get the COVID antiviral medicines, all of these must apply:

• you have COVID, or you are a household contact and have symptoms

• your symptoms started within the last 5 days

• you are eligible for the medicine.

Your doctor, nurse, hauora provider, or local pharmacy can tell you if you are eligible and may provide you with a prescription. If your local pharmacy does not prescribe antiviral medicine, they can put you in touch with a pharmacy that does.

How to get antiviral medications

If you have COVID you must isolate for 7 days. You can arrange to have medicines delivered by friends or whānau. If needed, pharmacies that provide COVID antiviral medicine can have them delivered to you, for free.

Free RATs

Free rapid antigen tests (RATs) are available for everyone, and you do not need to have COVID to get them.  You can order them online at RequestRATS.Covid19.health.nz and collect them at community providers, marae, testing centres, and some pharmacies, or have someone collect them for you.

Upload your test results, positive or negative, to MyCovidRecord.health.nz, or call 0800 222 478 and choose option 3.

Valley, Wairau stake final claims

PETER JONES peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Wairau and Wairau Valley con tinued their push for a place in the SBS senior cricket 40-over championship final with victo ries in Saturday’s third round matches.

Wairau notched a comprehensive 42-run win over leaders Celtic at Horton Park while Valley edged out Renwick by four runs in a thriller on the adjoining wicket.

Wairau posted a modest score of 142-9 batting first on the No 3 wicket. After a horror start, when they were 1-2, their innings was based around a 102-run partner

ship between Andrew McCaa, who ended up with a well-paced 63 from 85 balls, and opener Hunter Ruffell, who scored a pa tient 36 from 57 balls.

Apart from the aforementioned duo, none of the other Wairau batters reached double figures.

Wickets were shared around by Celtic, Liam Young claiming 3-49 from eight, Jaden Adams 2-12 from seven, while Tom Suther land, Josh Poole and Ben Black man grabbed one scalp each.

Celtic’s reply was in trouble from the outset.

They lost Josh Poole, their top run-getter through the first two rounds, in the third over and

although fellow opener Logan Robinson hung in there to score 27 he received little support. Best of the rest was No 7 Liam Young, with 22, but wickets fell too regu larly for Celtic to put themselves in a position to threaten Wairau’s score.

Chief destroyer was left-armer Nick Weaver, who removed both Poole and fellow rep player Tom Sutherland, then mopped up the tail, ending with 4-16 from 5.4 overs.

Baxter Croad, 2-22 from six, Tarin Mason, 2-9 from six, and Josh Alexander, with 2-17 from five, picked up the remainder of the wickets.

On the No 1 ground Wairau Valley held their nerve to en sure Renwick were left waiting for their first win of the season.

Valley scored a handy 191 all out batting first, 55 from 71 balls from Luke Pannell setting the tone before Matthew Stretch, 28 from 32, Tom Leonard, 49 from 56 and Greg Stretch, 18 from 33, ensure the scoring momentum was maintained.

Cody Golding’s 4-22 from a full complement of eight overs led the way for the Renwick attack.

Renwick’s top order set a strong platform for a successful run chase, openers Blair Timms, who hit 27 from 34, and Piers Lan

don-Lane, who top-scored with 54 from 91, getting them off to a strong start. However, when they were dis missed the momentum slowed, despite a quick 23 from Kirk Nicholas, and they entered the final over with just one wicket in hand, needing half a dozen runs. With Matthew Stretch bowling cleverly, Renwick fell four runs short of victory, losing their final wicket on the penultimate ball of the day.

Outstanding at the bowling crease for Valley was Sukh Aulakh, who bagged 5-22 from his eight overs, removing both Renwick openers and three of the middle order.

Celtic batsman Ben Armstrong is bowled by Wairau paceman Nick Weaver to end the match on the No 3 ground.

Photo: Peter Jones.

Top swimmer prepares for challenge in Australia

PETER JONES

Marlborough swimmer Jack Bugler is one of 15 Kiwis chosen to compete at the inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 which will be held in Brisbane from November 5-11.

Virtus is the International Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment.

Thirteen New Zealand ath letes will compete in swim ming, one in athletics, and one in sailing, whose com petition will be staged on the Gold Coast.

Jack, the 2022 Blenheim Swimming Club Swimmer

of the Year, competes in the S14 class and has attended three swim camps to pre pare for his trip across the ditch.

So far this year he has picked up a collection of medals at both the NZ open and short course championships.

Blenheim Swimming Club coach Jenni Gane will trav el with the NZ team as one of three coaches, along with former Paralympian Cam eron Leslie.

Leslie, Swimming New Zea land’s Disability and Para Swimming Participation Manager, is excited to see what the inaugural Oceania

Asia Games will deliver for the athletes.

“We have a number of tal ented swimmers with an in tellectual impairment com ing through the pathway.

“We are hoping to use Virtus events as a space for them to develop alongside their peers in a bespoke environ ment. Until now, we haven’t been able to offer such a positive pathway through to international sport.

“The team are really excited for the Games in Brisbane and can’t wait to try their best and do their whānau, club, coaches and country proud.”

Junior touch up and running

Jack Bugler and coach Jenni Gane. Photo: Supplied.

Awatere player Amiri Doonan offloads.

Springlands Wildfire’s Caleb Jones prepares to pass.

Vander, from Blenheim School, shows his speed.

Touch numbers surge again

PETER JONES peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz

Touch is back for the 2022/2023 season and organisers are hoping for uninterrupted competitions this time around.

Numbers are back to pre-COVID and restriction levels with a total of 163 teams taking the field each week, comprising 91 junior sides and 72 senior teams.

Because of the large numbers par ticipating, Marlborough Touch has appointed Hannah Cross into a part time permanent role running the various competi tions and also doing develop ment work in schools.

Anne Taylor, the junior co-or dinator thinks that there is still room to grow the game in Marl borough.

“The secondary schools are a place where there is a lot of room for growth as both Marlborough Girls’ and Marlborough Boys’ have potential to double the amount of players in the college and senior competition.

“Now we have someone who will be able to go into the schools during the winter and introduce indoor touch as well as help the schools organise their teams, I am expecting to see growth in both schools’ playing numbers next year.

“It is great to have Rai Valley join our competition this year and them combined with Richmond View and Queen Charlotte Col lege gives us potential for more mixed teams.”

In the senior competition the open grades will be hotly contest ed with four equally strong teams in each section. Marlborough Girls’ College are likely favourites in the open women's grade, Vi pers in the men's grade and 7201 in the mixed.

A feature of both the men’s and women’s divisions is the strong numbers in social grades. The men's grade appeals to men over the age of 40 who want a social time and the women's is a good mix of school girls and older women.

Junior touch got underway on Thursday, with players of various ages and experience able to showcase their skills. Pictured, Hapi from Mayfield School swerves to avoid the touch of his Richmond View opponent at Lansdowne Park. Photos: Peter Jones.

In the junior grades Bohally is expected to dominate the Year 7 and 8 grades. With 16 teams and many representative players they will be strong this year. The year 5

and 6 grades are more even with early front runners Blenheim, Mayfield and Fairhall leading the way.

The year 3 and 4 grade is all about

getting on the field and learning the basics.

For the first time there will be a girls grade after junior touch to start the development of female players. This is expected to grow over time into a stand-alone com petition.

Rep touch

There is a full season of repre sentative tournaments this year, starting with the Tahunanui De velopment Tournament in No vember. Interest is at an all-time high with well over 100 children showing up to the first training.

From that tournament, teams will be picked for the Te Wai Pounamu tournament in Christchurch to which Marlborough will send both an under-16 boys and girls team.

Both MBC and MGC are heading to secondary schools nationals in December, although a long year of sport and injuries are taking its toll on player numbers for MBC.

Marlborough will also field an open mixed team at nationals in early March for the elite players.

Busy time for top tennis players

PETER JONES

New Marlborough senior residential doubles champions were crowned when the annual tournament was staged at the Forrest Winery tennis centre.

The two Hamishs, Morrow and McRae, added to their impressive collection of local titles with victory in the men’s draw, while youngsters Amber Lyons and Ella Sowman claimed their first women’s crown.

Lyons and Sowman dethroned long-standing title-holders Pauline Fudge and Donna Clark at the conclu sion of the round robin format, winning their pivotal match 6-3, 6-4.

McRae and Morrow had a first-round bye then went on to down Daniel Ri ordan and Scott Walpole 6-3, 6-2 in the semifinal. In the decider, the vastly-ex perienced duo took care of runners-up Dan Clarke and Stephen Dempster 6-1, 6-3.

In the other semi, Clarke and Dempster downed Glen Cameron and Josh Joseph 7-5, 6-3, then Riordan and Walpole claimed third with a three-set win over Cameron and Joseph.

Premier play

The first week winners repeated the dose when the second instalment of the Wine Brokers NZ premier interclub was played on Wednesday evening.

Rapaura Wairau River Blanc defeat ed Marlborough Forrest Wines 2 in a very tight encounter, while Forrest

Wines Marlborough 1 downed Rapaura Wairau River Noir 5-1.

The Blanc v MFW2 clash went down to the wire. Youngster Dan Clarke beat Ant Walkenhorst 7-6, 6-2 in the top men’s single, the first set tie-breaker going to 14-12, then Stephen Dempster downed Jared Bell 6-1, 6-3 in the No 2 tussle to get MFW2 off to a perfect start.

However Blanc roared back, Clyde Sowman getting the win over Daniel Riordan, who had to default with in jury, and Donna Clark beating Mieko Kimura 6-2, 6-0 to level the tie before the doubles.

The combines were shared, Clarke and Dempster beating Walkenhorst and Bell 6-4, 6-2 in the men’s, while Sow man and Clark overcame Kimura and Riordan 6-2, 6-4 in the mixed.

This left the tie all square at 3-3 and six sets apiece, the eventual result being decided on countback of games, with Blanc prevailing 54-46.

The other match was more clear-cut, the only success for Noir coming at the top of the order, with Hamish McRae getting the better of his residential dou bles partner Hamish Morrow 7-5, 6-4.

From then on MFW1 dominated, Chris Nott, Scott Walpole, Amber Lyons win ning singles, then Morrow and Nott narrowly eclipsing McRae and Brendon Sutherland in the men’s double 1-6, 6-2, 10-8.

To cap off a strong showing, Lyons teaming with Walpole to win the mixed

over Glen Cameron and Katie Covell 6-1, 6-2.

In division two, wins were registered by Rapaura Wairau River Rose and Marl borough Falcons.

Rose defeated Marlborough Next Gen 5-1, Hiro Kishida and Scott Booth registering two wins, Kishida's super tiebreak tussle with Luke Marusaki a highlight. Next Gen’s point came from Theo Sandford-Jury who beat Max So man 6-3, 6-0.

Falcons also prevailed 5-1, against Marlborough Mix ‘n’ Match.

WK+ Presidents Grade results, Octo ber 18

Division 1: Renwick Racketeers 2 (26) Rapaura Masters 2 (23); Marlborough Power 2 (32) Rapaura Just Move 2 (34); Marlborough Accessman 1 Marlbor ough Chilli 3; MTC Townley Construc tion 1 Renwick Netsetters 3.

Division 2: Rapaura Newhawkes 3 Renwick Miss Hits 1; Marlborough Volleyeurs 3 Rapaura Pinot 1; Marlbor ough Swallows 2 (28) Renwick Mighty Four 2 (27); Renwick Rookies 2 (30) MTC Tennis the Menace 2 (24).

Division 3: Rapaura Blenheim ITM 3 Renwick Rebels 1; Renwick Raptors 0 Renwick Re-strung 4; Rapaura Char donnay 3 G'town Grove Tavern Turf & Tackle 1; Rapaura Hakinakina 1 Rapau ra Matador 3.

Division 4: Renwick Racquets 2 (27) G'town Grove Tavern Platters 2 (24); Rapaura Syrah 1 Rapaura Shiraz 3.

Hamish McRae reaches for a forehand volley during his first round match at the residential doubles.

Photo: Peter Jones.

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