Sport

Sport Time to limber up for the New Forest Marathon... in Dorset

Get your running shoes on entries to the 2021 New Forest Marathon in Wimborne St Giles have opened! Along with the full 26.2 miles of the classic marathon there’ll be a 10k half marathon, plus a junior one mile and a Woodland Walk. The popular event is taking place in Dorset for the second year running after Forestry England decided not to consider applications for events on its land until August at the earliest. The organisation was concerned about increased pressure on facilities and the natural habitat in the New Forest. The 2021 marathon will take place on the 6,000 acre estate and events are set to run on September 25 and 26, with camping from Friday onwards and live music. There will also be food and drink traders as well as children’s activities. However, the event organisers have said they are hopeful of a return to the marathon’s old home at Brockenhurst’s New Park showground for next year as well as hoping to welcome spectators to this year’s event. newforestmarathon.co.uk

Legal eagles

Ellis Jones Solicitors have teed off a partnership with Pure Golf Management to support players and boost business opportunities. Ellis Jones will act as the legal partner for Pure Golf and the golfing talent on its books – including professionals on European tour circuits. Ferndown-based Pure Golf will help Ellis Jones build relationships with individuals and like-minded businesses through its contacts and networking opportunities. It comes as Ellis Jones’ new sports law department – the first of its kind in the area – is on course for further growth. Partner David McWilliam, who is head of personal injury and the new sports law department, said: “Pure Golf has some exciting players on its books. We are providing a wide range of expert legal services so they can focus solely on winning on the course without any distractions. “Pure Golf shares our belief in supporting local sports men and women, and it is great we are helping these homegrown stars on their path to success.” Pure Golf manages talented golfers across Dorset and Hampshire, including professionals playing on the PGA EuroPro Tour, Challenge Tour and Ladies European Tour. Pure Golf MD George Barry, based at Ferndown Golf Club, said: “Ellis Jones’ valuable support is a major boost for local golfers looking to reach the big stage. “There’s no better place to build great business relationships than on the golf course.”

TEE TIME: From left, David McWilliam (Ellis Jones’ head of sports law), managing partner Nigel Smith, tour pro Luke Joy and George Barry of Ferndown Golf Club and Pure Golf Management

Athletics club back on track after break

By Peter Impett

Wimborne Athletics Club is back on the track after two years of lockdown and the Under 11s got things going with a fine win in the Quadkids event at Salisbury on Sunday. Second in both the girls’ event and the boys’ event (only by one point) the combined total of 1,566 gave them victory overall. Florence Van Der Feltz was the star winning the girls event with 207 points while Ava Elliott- Smith was the fastest of 60 competitors with a 75 metre time of 10.8, a new club record. The boys long jump was particularly strong with Lucas Joliffe winning with 3m72 and third place overall. Wimborne 1566, 2) New Forest Juniors 1492, 3) Slough Juniors 1436, 4) Portsmouth 1388, 5) Oxford City1275, 6) Salisbury 807 The under 15 boys were out in force in the main competition with Harry Woods winning the 100 in 12.4 and the long jump with 5m48 backed up by B string winner William Langridge 12.8 and 4m51. Harry Bunting showed a clean pair of heels in the 200 in 24.8 and the 300 in 40.8. Tom Williams ran a very smooth 1500 in 4.34.50 while brother Jack further increased his personal best in the high jump with 1m62. Max Chater won the hurdles in 13.8. The relay squad of Harry Woods, Harry Bunting, Woody Van Der Feltz and Josh Fricker won comfortably in 51.6. The under 13 boys are good at relay too with Zachary Fricker, Toby Fry, Finlay Cowell and Harry Ryan taking the baton round in a winning 56.8 seconds. Zachary won the 100 in 13.6, the 200 in 28.1 and the long jump with 4m16. Henry won the hurdles in 15.1. Jay Dunn won the under 17 1500 in 4.27.5 and Jake Roberts was equal first in the high jump with 1m70. In the under 13 girls Lavender West ran a quality 13.1 for second in the hurdles and Rosie Fridd won the high jump with 1m28 on her first outing for the club. Gracie Bunting won the under 15s 800 metres in 2.30.5 backed up by B string winner Imogen Rawles. Eva Wellstead showed the quality of her training winning the hurdles in 12.8. 1) New Forest Juniors 507, 2 Oxford 386, 3) Salisbury 336, 4) Wimborne 324.5 5) Slough Juniors 318.5 6) Portsmouth 228

Double celebration

By Nicci Brown As part of National Women’s Cricket month and to celebrate the opening of their new pavilion, Blandford Cricket Club held a family fun day focussing on their ladies and new girls’ teams on Saturday, June 14. There were matches between the under 11s and their parents, the under 9s and their parents, and the Lions and Lionesses, followed by a barbecue. There was also a presentation on the evening of Friday, June 11 to Luke Carter, Girls Under 9 team coach, of sponsorship secured for the team. Pat Osborne, whose daughter plays for the team, said: “I was able to arrange some sponsorship for my daughter’s team from members of our local branch of Unite the Union. The sponsorship consists of £946 this year and £500 for both 2022 and 2023 to help get the team established. “Blandford already boasts one of the best facilities for women’s cricket in the region. “Hopefully, more girls might be encouraged to take up the sport and other local organisations encouraged to invest in talented youngsters through sponsorship too!” Blandford Cricket Club Women’s softball training started on Wednesday May 12 at the recreation ground 6pm to 7.30pm. The fun and sociable sessions are being held with a view to participating in festivals during the summer months, and are open to complete

Sponsor hands over £1,000

Steve Attrill, chair of the Dorset branch of Unite, presents a cheque for £1,000 in sponsorship to the Blandford Cricket Club Girls’ Under 9s to their coach and manager Luke Carter, with the Under 9s members. One of the matches in progress in front of the new pavilion at the family fun day focussing on ladies’ and girls’ cricket at Blandford Cricket Club.

novices as well as those with cricketing experience. For more details see ecb.co.uk/play/womenssoftball-cricket-festivals. Verwood Girls coach triumphs in Euros

By Chris Berry The first ever stage of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League came to a dramatic close with an action-packed third period in the final, held this month in Nazaré. England Women’s Beach Soccer Team train in Poole, Dorset and supported by local Verwood Girls FC coach Chris Berry, beat Spain 3-1 after group phase wins over Czech Republic (5-0) and reigning European Champions Russia (3-1). Spain had previously beaten the Lionesses in the World Beach Games Final, but Portsmouth Goalkeeper Hannah Haughton helped keep them at bay. The breakthrough was made with a solo effort from debutant Anne Meiwald, then it was 2-0 to England thanks to an own goal from a misplaced back-pass. After a late Molly Clark penalty, the final whistle went with the score at 3-1, and wild celebrations from the English bench. The Lionesses make history, outperforming their old rivals to claim the first ever EBSL Regular Stage. For further information about supporting the team in future internationals, please visit englandbeachsoccer.org.

LIFE’S A BEACH: The victorious team in Nazaré Picture : England Beach Soccer

Middle school’s tennis courts opened up for public use

Cranborne Middle School has opened up its tennis courts to members of the community for a small annual subscription fee. Court use is for subscribers only and there are two categories of subscription –Family Subscription (£50) and Individual Subscription (£25). Family Subscription allows any members of a family living at the same address to use the courts and Individual Subscription is for individual subscribers aged 16 and above, said the school. Courts can be used from 9am-6pm out of school hours, such as weekends and school holidays, and after 6pm during term time. More information from Dani Warner on 01725 517 348 or by email dwarner@ cranbornemid.dorset.sch.uk during school office hours, or Anna McElwaine on 01725 5175 94 or by email annamcelwaine@aol.com outside school hours.