SPORT IN BRIEF
BOXING ON: Fighters from the Box on Boxing Blenheim club underlined their potential during the recent South Island Novice Champs in Christchurch. Rowin McManaway claimed gold in the under-60kg class, while Connor Anderson, in the 86kg category, and Phoenix-Jae Ave, fighting in the 63-67kg grade, picked up silver medals. Next up for the young pugilists is the national Golden Gloves event.
RIDING HIGH: Marlborough dressage star Melissa Galloway has qualified to take on the world’s best with a hugely-impressive showing at the Sentower Dressage Festival in Belgium. She and her mount, Windermere J’Obei W, finished fourth overall in the prestigious event with a personal best mark of 72.341 percent. Forty-four combinations took part in the CDI4* Grand Prix test. It was the duo’s second and final qualifying score needed to compete at the forthcoming world champs.
ON TRIAL: Several of the province's band of talented young rowers have been selected to trial for national teams. U19 NZ Trialists: Charlotte Lightfoot (QCC), Emma Flanagan (MGC), Ashley-James Fitzgerald (MBC), Emily Bowden (Wairau), Orla Fitzgerald (Wairau), Dylan Burton (Wairau), Ed Botherway (Wairau). South Island under-18 Trialists: Molly Glover, Daisy Vavasour, Lexi Timpson (all MGC), Hugh Straker, Zac Jenkins (both MBC).
GUS GOING WELL: Marlborough triathlete Gus Marfell showed he is well up with the pace on the national multisport scene, picking up a meritorious seventh placing in the junior men’s section of the Oceania Cup event in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
SUPER STARTS: Former Moutere utility forward Mike Curry had reason to celebrate on Tuesday evening when he made his Super Rugby debut, turning out for Moana Pasifika against the Blues at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland. The 28-year-old turned out on seven occasions for the Tasman Mako in 2018 before trying his luck overseas, plying his trade in Japan and USA. On Saturday, Moana Pasifika met the Blues again with Central and Mako excitement machine “Jim” Tavatavanawai making his Super Rugby debut.
SHOOTING STARS: Marlborough smallbore shooter Jason Henry qualified for the New Zealand Men’s and NZ Open indoor target rifle teams at the weekend. His son, Dom Henry, qualified for the NZ Juniors indoor team while fellow Marlborough RSA smallbore club Rifle Club club-mate Val Wadsworth was selected in the NZ Veterans team. They competed against UK Home Counties in a postal shoot.
CAM ON TOP: Mountain biker Cam Anderson recently underlined his potential with victory in the under-17 category at the 3Peaks Enduro in Dunedin. Not only did Cam take out his age group title, his time placed him fifth overall in the event, which was contested by many of the country’s top performers.
RUGBY KICK-OFF: Senior rugby kicks off in Marlborough this weekend. The first match-up will take place at Endeavour Park in Picton where Waitohi will host Central. With only three teams contesting this year’s Marlborough Sub-Union division one competition, the other being Renwick, there will be just one game each weekend, except Easter, until the Tasman trophy kicks off on May 7.
NEW ROLE: Ani Waitai has been appointed general manager of Nelson Netball. For the last two decades Ani has played and coached the game to a high level in Waikato, Nelson and Marlborough. For the past 12 months, she has been involved in the Nelson Netball Community as the Netball Smart/Balance is Better Centre Activator. Ani will be based at the Nelson Netball Office at Saxton Stadium.
RUNNING ON: After COVID’s impact on so many events, keen runners can again stretch their legs. The long-standing Alpine Lodge Loop the Lake returns on April 23 with numbers nudging 300 for its 27th edition. On July 9, Captain Cook’s Landing, along the Queen Charlotte Track from Punga to Ship Cove, reappears. This one always sells out as does the famed Abel Tasman Coastal Classic on October 8. The Dun Run returns on August 27, with 300 already registered following last year’s postponement while the Kaiteriteri Gold, rescheduled for November 26, is back with two options - a half marathon to Marahau and return or the popular 14km all-terrain stint. Full details and entries for all on nelsonevents.co.nz.