Sporting briefs

ROWERS GAIN NZ SELECTION: Marlborough college rowers Fred Vavasour and Meg Flanagan have achieved national selection, both being named in the NZ under-19/junior squad after trials. Fred is in the weight and Meg in the four. Local coach Kaye Surgenor will coach the U19 boys quad. Earlier, Dylan Burton, James Fitzgerald and Walter Wickham from MBC competed with success for the South Island under-18 team against their North Island counterparts. James and Walter were part of the winning under-18 quad, Dylan a member of the victorious U18 eight, James second in the U18 single and Dylan part of the winning U18 pair. Lexi Timpson and Emma Flanagan from MGC were included in the SI women’s team, both being part of the winning U18 eight and third in their pair.

NIKAU DOES IT AGAIN: Marlborough Paralympic athlete Nikau Peipi has again excelled at the annual Halberg Games.  The Blenheim youngster won the 50m, 100m and 200m sprint titles as well as taking out the long jump title. He also claimed second placings in shot put and discus to be awarded the overall male athlete of the meet title. He set new PBs in both 200m and long jump. The three-day event was held at King’s College in Auckland over Anzac Weekend.

GOLF CHAMPS FOUND: The Picton golf club hosted the annual Marlborough women’s stroke play championship over 18 holes recently. There was a clean sweep of winners in the championship divisions by Picton women, a first for this long-standing tournament.

Senior 1st Gross - Jo Prescott (Picton) 84, 2nd Gross - Jane Bay (Marlborough) 89, 3rd Gross - Janet Lang (Rarangi) 90. Intermediate 1st Gross - Jenny Hart (Picton) 91, 2nd Gross - Elaine Brown (Wairau Valley) 97, 3rd Gross - Sue Lang (Rarangi) 98. Junior 1st Gross - Ricky Ashworth (Picton) 100, 2nd Gross - Eleanor Gillies (Picton) 102, 3rd Gross - Helen Lissaman (Marlborough) 106.

Senior 1st Nett - Helen McIsaac (Picton) 73, 2nd Nett - Helen Neame (Rarangi) 75, 3rd Nett - Sa-nga Grupp (Blenheim) 81. Intermediate 1st Nett - Mary Butler (Picton) 76, 2nd Nett - Robin Lacey (Wairau Valley) 81, 3rd Nett - Anne Walker (Wairau Valley) 82. Junior 1st Nett - Cushla Brosnahan (Picton) 77, 2nd Nett - Maureen McKenzie (Wairau Valley) 80, 3rd Nett - Jan Rutherford (Wairau Valley) 80.

TABLE TOPPERS: Marlborough’s table tennis competition began recently with a Pipe-Opener Tournament, attracting 26 players. Nathan Watson, Alex Kennedy, Matt Pigou and Jacqui Wood contested the semi-finals of the main draw. Nathan beat Matt in four sets to reach the final, while Alex beat Jacqui in four sets. Alex beat Nathan 9-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6 to win the tournament and became the third different player to win the title in three years.

CHANCE FOR CASH: Milo have launched a Pitch Your Club competition, offering people a chance to pick up some much-needed cash to help with running sports clubs. The competition offers teams and sports clubs across New Zealand the opportunity to win a share of $50,000 in cash and sports equipment. Sports clubs of any size or from any sporting code can enter, while family and friends are encouraged to nominate their favourite club too. To pitch your club, head to milo.co.nz/milopitch. Entries opened on April 19, 2021 and will close on 10 June 2021, with deserving clubs contacted from June 18, 2021.