Winter sport in full swing

This weekend, a full programme of winter activities will keep Marlborough’s sporting fraternity occupied.

Rugby

Tomorrow, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV host one of the Miles Toyota Championship heavyweights on the MBC front field.

In their first home match, the Falcons welcome Christchurch Boys’ High School to Blenheim. Both sides enjoyed comfortable wins last weekend, MBC beating Mid Canterbury Combined 31-0 while their rivals downed Waimea Combined 71-8. The match kicks off at the earlier time of 11am.

Local derbies are the feature of this weekend’s Tasman Trophy action. Renwick host Central at the Renwick Domain while Awatere/Moutere take on Waitohi at Seddon. Both matches begin at 3pm.

In Marlborough division two action MBC Old Boys meet Waitohi at Lansdowne Park, Renwick play Central at Renwick and Awatere tackle Pelorus at Seddon. All games begin at 1.15pm.

In Tasman division one women’s action tomorrow, the table-topping Moutere side take on Riwaka at Cooks Reserve. That match kicks off at 3pm.

Football

A focus this weekend for football fans is the Chatham Cup round one clash between Rangers AFC, who travel to Nelson on Sunday to play Nelson FC. The match kicks off at 2pm at Guppy Park.

Meanwhile, in the Mayfield Motorworld division one competition, play enters the second round.

BV Masters play Call Care Hotspurs at 1pm, while Call Care Trojans meet Rangers Development, both at A&P Park. The Central sides, Wolves and Buccaneers, meet at Athletic Park, the latter games at 3pm.

In division two, Central Privateers take on Rangers Masters, Rangers Clubs of Marlborough meet Call Care Spartans, both at A&P Park, while Redwood Masters tackle Picton at Athletic Park. The Central and Redwood matches kick off at 1pm, the other at 3pm.

In Nelson women’s division one action, BV Bullets travel to Saxton Fields to take on Nelson Suburbs, starting at 3pm.

Netball

With no premier action on Tuesday next week, attention turns to Saturday's senior grade one competition. SMOG take on Harlequins at 11.30am, Pelorus Heating Marlborough play Tokomaru Oxleys at 1.30pm and MGC Fairweathers tackle Pelorus Revival at 2.30pm

Hockey

In premier hockey action on Saturday afternoon, United take on Arotea Kiwi at 1.30pm while Beawai Men play MBC First XI at 3pm.

Gymnastics

The Marlborough Gymnastics Championships will be staged at Stadium 2000 on Saturday and Sunday. Competition starts at 8am, and runs through to at least 7pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.