Sporting briefs

Lockie snares silver

Marlborough cyclist Lockie McNabb warmed up for his forthcoming trip to Europe, and a place in a Spanish club road team, with a gritty second placing in the under-19 section at the national road champs in Timaru on Friday. Lockie was part of a four-person breakaway with 50km to ride. They were caught by a group of five with 10km to go and, although an attack reduced the leading group to three, Lockie was unable to reel in winner Reef Roberts during the final, frantic sprint for home. Lockie covered the 122.5km course in three hours five minutes and 56 seconds.

Picton’s the place for MTB series

Mountain bikers from around New Zealand will converge on Picton this Sunday, February 18, for round four of the Mountain Bike New Zealand National Cross Country Series 2024.  The Marlborough Mountain Bike Club is hosting the event which was due to take place in Blenheim but has relocated to Picton due to the closure of the Wither Hills Farm Park because of fire risk. Several walking and biking tracks in and around Victoria Domain will close to the public from 7am to 5pm on the day of the event.

Braden on base

Saints’ and Marlborough softball regular Braden Healy has been chosen for the Southern Pride side which will contest the National Fastpitch champs in Auckland from February 15. His club side, Saints, will host Stoke Eagles in a double-header at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, February 24, with the Seddon Shield tournament, against Nelson opposition across several grades, taking place on Sunday, March 3.

Eden included

Local cricketer Eden Pettigrew turned out for the Central Districts B side who took on their Northern Districts B counterparts in two T20 matches and a one-dayer on Saturday and Sunday.