Netballers come out to play

Netball makes an appearance on the local winter sport calendar this weekend with a strong turnout expected for a pre-season tournament being staged at Lansdowne Park on Saturday.

Then, on Tuesday, the premier teams begin their 2021 competition at Stadium 2000.

First up will be Pelorus Edridge Contracting against Awatere Clarence River Rafting, starting at 6pm. Then defending champs Tokomaru Crafar Crouch meet the new team on the block, Tokomaru Picton Motordome, a mixed side who are not eligible for competition points, at 7.45pm. The final match is between Marlborough Girls’ College NZ King Salmon and Harlequins New World. It also begins at 7.45.

Rugby

Two Marlborough-based Tasman Trophy sides are at home this weekend. Central meet the high-flying Marist outfit at Lansdowne Park while Moutere/Awatere take on Stoke at Awarua Park. Both games begin at 3pm.

Meanwhile Waitohi will play Nelson at Trafalgar Park. Renwick have a bye.

In division two Moutere meet Waitohi at Awarua Park while Central play Awatere at Lansdowne. Both games begin at 1.15pm.

In the Tasman women’s competition, Moutere women will tackle Waimea at Awarua Park, this match, the third in a Magpies trifecta on Saturday, also kicking off at 1.15pm.

Football

The region’s top team, Rangers AFC, who are coming off a brace of wins last weekend, take on FC Nelson Locomotive at A&P Park on Saturday. The match is part of the first round of the Nelson men’s division one premiership, which includes eight teams.

The last time the sides were due to meet Locomotive defaulted so little is known about their pedigree.

In the Tasman women’s division one competition, comprising four teams this year, BV Bullets take on Richmond Foxes at Jubilee Park in Nelson, with a 3pm kick off.

In the local men’s Mayfield Motorworld division one competition, Call Care Hotspurs meet Rangers Development at 1pm, Bottle-O BV Masters play Central Buccaneers at 3pm, the same time as Call Care Trojans and Central Wolves meet. All games are on A&P Park.

In division two, Rangers Clubs of Marlborough meet Redwood FC, Rangers Masters take on Call Care Spartans and Central Privateers play Picton, the latter game beginning at 1pm, the others at 3pm. All games are at A&P Park.