Sporting shorts

Softball wins

The Saints men’s softball side notched up two wins in their double-header intercity clash with Nelson side Titans at Lansdowne Park on Saturday. The locals won their first clash 13-1. With Jontae MacDonald on the mound, and well supported in the field, they restricted the visiting batters while finding their range early with the bat, Tyler Bird, Blake Wisdom, Drew Roberts, Braden Healy and Will Macdonald leading the way. The second match was tighter, Rawiri Bird pitching this time, and ended in an 8-4 win to the locals in seven innings.

Women’s cricket

The Marlborough women’s cricket team made their debut at the Central Districts women’s T20 tournament on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The team travelled to Whanganui to take their place in the annual event with an inexperienced side and found the going tough. On Friday they took on Taranaki, coming away with a 124-run loss. Taranaki scored 176-5 batting first, both Jody Klempl and Neve Edwards picking up a brace of wickets. In reply, Marlborough were able to muster only 52 all out, Eden Pettigrew top scorer with 12. Their second match was against Manawatu, who scored 162-5 from their 20 overs, Olivia Roseingrave’s 2-15 from four the standout bowling effort. Marlborough were bowled out for 76 in the 19th over, Pania Dellarosa’s 23 from 32 the highlight as Manawatu won by 86 runs. Next up was Wairarapa, who scored 197-7, then restricted Marlborough to 100-5, a 97-run victory. Edwards claimed 3-35 with the ball, while Carly Englefield top scored with 28 from the same number of balls. Against Hawke’s Bay on Sunday morning Marlborough batted first, registering 75-6 from their 20 overs, Dallarosa and Englefield both scoring 20.  The Magpies chased down their target in 10.1 overs, Stella Cornelius taking the one wicket to fall. Their final game was a rematch with Taranaki, who scored 180-7 batting first, Cornelius claiming three wickets. In reply, Marlborough came up short at 69-6 after 20 overs, Englefield again leading the scoring with 22 from 28.

Rugby shout-out

A call has gone out all past or present players, coaches, administrators and supporters involved in the wider Marlborough rugby scene from the 1970s to the present day. A second get-together will be held at the Waterfront Bar and Grill, formerly the Royal Hotel, on Friday, March 21, starting from 5pm. Organisers say this will be an ideal opportunity to catch up with former rugby acquaintances, relive old memories and mingle with those involved currently.