Sport in brief

Touch team fourth

Marlborough’s under-21 touch side finished a meritorious fourth during the recent national championships at Trentham.  After topping their pool in unbeaten fashion, the rep side came agonisingly close to booking a place in the final, losing in a drop off to Canterbury, both semifinalists reduced to three players when the southerners scored the clincher. In pool play Marlborough beat Taranaki 14-8, Auckland 13-3, Turanganui a Kiwa 13-7, Thames Valley 12-11 and Wellington Black 12-9, while drawing 9-9 with Counties. Marlborough lost 10-7 to Wellington Black in the third/fourth play-off. The Marlborough team comprised: Axell Allen, Leo Marfell, Jack Burdon, Louis Thomas, Ben Blackmore, Thomas Blackmore, Hugh Robinson, Ajay Gane, Jake Gane, Will Flynn, Bree Flynn, Sophia Nicholas, Paige O’Brien, Tilly Tupouto’a, Jordan Sampson and Luca McMillan. Coach Todd Nicholas. Manager Alice McMillan.

Masters of their destiny

Several Marlborough hockey players have been included in New Zealand World Cup Masters teams heading to Europe in July and August. They are - Women’s 35+ Kate Morrow. Women’s 50: Jo Jones, Jules Maltesen. Women’s 60: Robyn Rowe. Men’s 45+: Andrew Nation. Men’s 50: Malcolm King, John MacKinnon (Non-Travelling Reserve). Men’s 60s: Nigel Fraser (Non-Travelling Reserve).

Right said Fred

Marlborough rower Fred Vavasour has been named in the New Zealand elite team to compete at the first two World Cup regattas in Spain and Bulgaria during late May and early June. It is the first time the Wairau oarsman has been named in the elite group. He will race in the coxed four.

College exchange

The Marlborough Boys’ College sides generally came off second best when the annual summer sports exchange against Nelson College was played on this side of the hill last Tuesday. The First XI cricket match went Nelson’s way after a promising start for the home side. They had Nelson 88-5 after 21 overs of the 50-over affair but let them establish a partnership, reaching 233 before being bowled out in the 49th over. Tom Heagney, 3-34, Daniel Baker, 2-27, and Lachie Cooney, 2-28, were the pick of the bowlers. In reply, MBC struggled to 73 all out, Niko Russell top scoring with 18. Nelson also won the 2nd XI and junior cricket clashes, plus the volleyball match-up. The senior touch teams shared the honours, both sides winning one of the three matches, the other a draw. Marlborough did enjoy success in the golf, winning all six games.

Leo selected

Former MBC First XV and Central premier rugby player Leo Marfell has been named among 100 of the nation’s most promising players to attend the forthcoming New Zealand under-20s Development camp. The utility back will join Mako coach Gray Cornelius and physio Richie Marsden as the Marlborough representatives in Taupo from 14-21 March.

Dewar Cup

The 87th Dewar Cup competition has been played over two days at the Picton Golf Club. Net winner was Andrew Sunley from the host club with a combined score of 131. Mark Hoare from Blenheim was second with 133 from Rarangi’s James Sutherland on 137.  Winner of the gross was promising youngster Kobe Hart, from the Blenheim club, with 139. Second was professional Chas Craig with 143 while Paul Silke and Blair Bavin were equal third on 146. Mark took out the intermediate title with Andrew bagging the junior crown.