Sports News In Brief

Ryan Makes Grade

Two stunning multisport performances have earned Ryan Marfell national selection. Firstly, Ryan competed at the Taranaki Tri Festival in New Plymouth, winning the under-19 title and placing fifth overall. Just four days later, he raced at the NZ secondary schools triathlon champs in Wanaka, claiming an impressive third placing. His efforts earned him selection by the New Zealand Triathlon Committee to represent New Zealand at the Hamburg World Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships in July. He will be competing in the U19 Age Group.

Golf Titles Decided

Rarangi golfers claimed the prestigious Ryniker Cup gross title when the annual event was staged at the Marlborough Golf Club recently. Marlborough took out the nett crown. The Duncan Salver gross was won by Marlborough, with the team from Picton picking up the nett title.

Indoor Bowlers In Action

Niska says the team were not totally focussed on results at this early stage.

“With this team coming together as a new group we are just looking at this season as a stepping stone, especially as regards bringing new players into the mix and getting them up to the level required to compete.

“We will always be concentrated on winning each game but just having fun and getting some newbies on the paddock is vital to growing the game in our region.”

Marlborough have enjoyed previous success in the Tasman Trophy, Moutere winning the 2021 final against the odds at Trafalgar Park, their third title after taking out the competition in 2017-18.

The side will play three Tasman Trophy rounds and have a strong coaching/management group of Helen Leota, Kelly Canning, Hannah Gillespie, Sinead Travers and Maiden Tupara.

The Wāhine begin their season on Saturday, April 15, against Kahurangi in Renwick, kick off 1.15pm.

The Wairau Wāhine provisional squad:

Ana Puliuvea, Bryher Jager, Court Finau, Emma Parnell, Fiaali’i Solomona, Hannah Gillespie, Jamie Allison, Jamie Love, Kelly Collins, Lana Mells, Maia Jones, Melissa Thompsett, Niska Scott, Pippa Andrews, Raumati Rogers, Rebecca Fa’apopo, Ryhan Nadji, Talia Craddock, Tallulah Tuffery, Tamara Taulapapa-Mati, Wiki Curtis, Tahlia Leigh, Diane Huntley, Katie Walker, Aiesha Tepuia, Aimee Harnett, Jess Hardley, Olivia Procter.

The 9 Bowls Triples indoor bowls tournament was staged recently at Simcox Stadium. This was the first event of the season and also the first round of the new Zonal Challenge Competition being held between Nelson, Marlborough and Golden Bay/Motueka. The winners were Steven Grant, Lois Randall and Kiri Bond with 4.5 wins and 40 ends. Runners-up were Brian Booker, Peter Hanley and Marie Granger from Nelson with 4.5 wins and 37 ends. Third place went to Nathan and Lewis Della Bosca and Graeme Smitherham with 4 wins and 49 ends. The tournament was well supported with 14 teams playing, including 3 teams from Nelson.

Rugby Reunion Reminder

A steady stream of registrations are coming in for the Opawa Rugby Club Reunion in Blenheim at Kings Birthday weekend, but organisers are reminding those who have not yet made contact to do so. The event runs from June 1-4 and will include a wide range of activities designed to entertain and rekindle memories of the famous ‘Black Cloud’. Interested parties can email opawareunion@gmail.com or contact the Waterfront Hotel or Duke Ellison on 0226589816.

Busy Time For Youngster

Marlborough athlete Neve Mckenzie recently completed a very challenging four days of athletic excellence. Leading out of the water in the under-16 race at the NZ secondary schools triathlon champs in Wanaka, she battled for quite a while in transition with a stuck zip on her wetsuit. Well down on the leaders on to the bike, she battled through to a bronze medal. Next day was the NZ secondary schools MTB champs at Cardrona where she claimed a silver medal. Neve backed these results up with wins in the under-15 1500m and 3000m at the South Island secondary schools athletic champs in Invercargill on the last two days.