Sport in brief

Rugby wrap

Unbeaten Marlborough senior A rugby leaders Waitohi will host the Awatere Tussocks in Picton, while Central will host Renwick when the competition semifinals are played next Saturday. Last Saturday, the final acts in the round robin series were played out with the four semi-finalists taking on each other. At Lansdowne Park, Central warmed up for the play-offs with a comprehensive 47-10 victory over Awatere while, at Endeavour Park in Picton, Waitohi marched on with a 46-17 victory over Renwick, their opponents in last season’s final. In the other match, staged at Awarua Park, Pelorus ended their season with a 22-24 win over Moutere. Harlequins had the bye.

Lin Sparks remembered

One of Marlborough’s finest all-round sportsmen died on Monday in North Canterbury. Lin Sparks was a member of two history-making Marlborough teams – the 1968 Hawke Cup cricket side which lifted the prestigious Hawke Cup for the first time and also the 1968 Marlborough rugby team which shocked the touring French side at Lansdowne Park, contributing 12 points in their 24-19 win. In cricket, Lin was an accurate medium-pace bowler and a fine batsman who represented Central Districts and Auckland at first class level and played against the MCC tourists. On the rugby field, as well as turning out against France, he played against the 1971 British Lions and represented NZ Combined Services. He made 23 appearances for Marlborough as a goal-kicking fullback, first five or centre. Lin, who worked at Base Woodbourne while in Marlborough, was an accomplished sportsman in a wide variety of sports, including squash, a pursuit he excelled in during his latter life.

Hockey finals

On Saturday the Marlborough senior hockey finals were contested at Puna Wai Stadium. In the premier men’s clash the Arotea Kiwi side came out on top of the youthful MBC First XI, winning 3-0 after being given a tough workout. In the division one decider, Awatere beat the MBC 2nd XI 3-1 while in division two Kaikoura Orange downed MBC Waihopai 4-0. The women’s final was taken out by Arotea Kiwi, who beat Beawai 3-0.

Falcons going forward

Seven members of the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV, who finished third in the recently-completed Miles Toyota premiership, have been named to attend the annual Junior Crusaders camp. Anru Erasmus, Ben Gibbons, Ajay Gane, Jake Gane, Jordyn Gardiner, Rico Nicklin and Mason Nicklin will comprise the largest contingent of MBC players chosen for the camp.

GodZone super team

New Zealand’s most acclaimed adventure racing world champions - Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, Stu Lynch and Simone Maier - have joined forces to race chapter 12 of One NZ GODZONE this November as Team Rab. The elite all-star team has collectively competed at every chapter of New Zealand's premier expedition race, One NZ GODZONE, to date, with Chris, Sophie, and Stu members of the most victorious team, Avaya (formerly Seagate), with captain Nathan Fa’avae (now retired).

Closed titles decided

Nathan Watson won the men's singles title at the recent Marlborough Closed Table Tennis Championships. In an epic final he beat Matt Millar 11-5, 11-13, 11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8. Matt reached the final with a semi-final win over Matt Pigou while Nathan beat Zac Cowdrey. Jacqui Wood retained her women's singles crown, beating Supreya Prasertsakda 11-5,11-6, 11-9,12-14, 9-11, 11-7 in the final. Jacqui reached the final with a win over Caitlin Exton while Supreya beat Kylie Hurren.