Mahar Cup changes hands
The prestigious Mahar Cup is back in Marlborough hands after a 40-year absence.
The 85th Mahar Cup meeting, involving track and field athletes from Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast was staged at Saxton Field in Nelson on Saturday. The meet was held under strict COVID conditions and access was restricted.
When final points were added up Marlborough were well ahead on 195, from Nelson on 109 then West Coast on 76. It is the first time since 1982 that Marlborough has won the Mahar Cup.
In addition to taking the main prize, the Marlborough senior men’s relay team of Dave Hansen, Simon Oliff, Joseph Brooks and Adrian Phillips retained the McConachie Baton with a time of 48.61. The junior men’s relay team, comprising Alex Hansen, James Hansen, Ronan West and DJ Arbuckle also won their event in a time of 49.02
Nelson also enjoyed some success, winning the McConnell Cup for most points in the under-17 grades. The final points tally was: Nelson 68, Marlborough 40, West Coast 16.
The Mawhera Shield for outstanding performance of the meet was awarded to Josh Gill from Nelson, who set a new junior men’s meet record in the 1500m with a time of 3:59:68.
ANZ Ranking List performances for Marlborough athletes at the meet: James Hansen - MU20 100m 11.46 (+1.7), MU20 200m 23.43 (+0.3); Dave Hansen - SM Discus Throw 34.45.
Along with the senior athletes, some older Marlborough Children's Athletics Club athletes competed with distinction. They included Isla Tilbury, Neve McKenzie, Alex Hansen and Elijah O'Donnell, who broke the 13 boys 800m Marlborough record with an outstanding time of 2.12.79.
The Marlborough team comprised: Dave Hansen, Adrian Phillips, Jamie Arbuckle, Simon Oliff, Carl Connor-McClean, Joseph Brooks, James Hansen, Dale (DJ) Arbuckle, Ronan West, Alex Hansen, Elijah O'Donnell, Tracey Sims, Isla Tilbury, Neve McKenzie. Remy Le Brun and Nikau Peipi were late withdrawals.
Club stalwart Dave Hansen said, "we came with a plan and had the numbers in each event to back it up. Everyone should be mightily proud of all your individual efforts. A very proud club moment".