Weekend sport in full swing

Another busy weekend of sport is in prospect, most codes now fully involved with competitions at both junior and senior level.

Rugby

There is no premier club rugby on this side of the hill tomorrow, with the first round of Marlborough Sub Union play scheduled for next Saturday. The Tasman Trophy final, between Kahurangi and Marist, will be played at Trafalgar Park, Nelson tomorrow.

In division two, Awatere meet Waitohi in Seddon, Pelorus play Central in Havelock and MBC Old Boys meet Moutere at Lansdowne Park. All games begin at 1.15pm.

The MBC First XV are at home, taking on St Andrew’s College at Lansdowne Park, with a 11.30 kick-off. The match has been moved from the college front field due to ground conditions.

Both sides will be well up for this one, sitting side-by-side in seventh and eighth position in the standings, STAC just a point ahead. Both sides have won four of their eight matches so far.

Football

Both the region’s top teams are on the road tomorrow. Rangers AFC take on Golden Bay Mountain Goats at Nelson’s Jubilee Park, while the BV Bullets women’s side meet Nelson Suburbs FC at Saxton Fields. Both games begin at 3pm.

Meanwhile, in Blenheim, the focus is firmly on Knockout Cup games.

In round one senior action, Central Privateers take on Call Care Hotspurs at Athletic Park, Rangers Masters play Call Care Trojans, BV Masters meet Call Care Spartans and Central Wolves tackle Rangers Clubs of Marlborough. The final three matches are scheduled for A&P Park, all games having with a 12.30 kick-off.

Rangers Development, Central Buccaneers, Redwood and Picton all have all drawn first round byes.

Netball

Tuesday’s premier netball games feature some interesting match-ups. Pelorus take on the mixed Tokomaru Picton Motordrome side in the evening’s early encounter. At 7.45, Marlborough Girls’ College meet Awatere and Harlequins take on Tokomaru Crafar Crouch.

Tonight, MGC and competition leaders Pelorus meet at 6pm in the Stadium, playing a game that was scheduled for the school holidays.

Standings after round three: Pelorus 9, Harlequins 5, MGC 5, Tokomaru Crafar Crouch 0, Awatere 0.

Hockey

Saturday’s Whitehaven premier games feature a clash of the top teams, club mates Beawai and United meeting at 1.30pm.

In the later match, starting at 3pm, MBC First XV and Arotea Kiwi meet.

Squash

The much-prized Heaphy Shield goes on the line upstairs at Stadium 2000 this weekend.

In the 46th year of the competition, Marlborough will attempt to hold onto the prize, against challengers West Coast and Nelson.

The public are welcome to attend. Matches start at 6pm tonight, with final games scheduled to go on court at 12.45pm on Sunday after a 9am start. Two rounds will be played on Saturday, starting at 9am and 2pm.