Sports reports: Murray Bridge trainer will have a runner in the Melbourne Cup
Plus the latest in River Murray netball and football and Murray Bridge golf and rifle shooting.
This story includes contributions from Michael Potts and Daniel Irvine. Email your sports reports to peri@murraybridge.news.
Oopy MacGillivray might have known for more than three months that The Map was guaranteed a place in this year’s Melbourne Cup, but the Murray Bridge trainer is still coming to terms with it.
It all felt a little bit more real late last week when MacGillivray, who trains in partnership with Dan Clarken, submitted the $1500 Melbourne Cup entry for the six-year-old mare.
“It always gives you a little bit of adrenalin surge, you just feel it and think, ‘it’s getting real now’,” MacGillivray said of entering a horse for a big race.
- Read more: www.vrc.com.au.
Mallee Districts qualify for their first A grade grand final
Meanwhile, newcomers the Mallee Storm will play in their first A grade River Murray Netball Association grand final after defeating powerhouse Imperials at Lameroo on Saturday.
Sunday was the Suns' day – they eliminated Mannum and will play Imps at Mypolonga this weekend.
- Mallee 49 defeated Imperials 42
- Southern Mallee 68 defeated Mannum 32
Freddy Carter does it again at Murray Bridge Golf Club
Lightning has struck for the second time in three weeks – fiery golfer Freddy Carter took out a Stableford competition at Murray Bridge Golf Club in fine style on Saturday.
Having also been successful two Saturdays prior after a lean trot, it once again proves the maxim “form is temporary but class is permanent”.
Shooting a scintillating back nine of 23 points, Carter tallied 39 in total to edge out Murray Bridge’s coolest plumber, Corey Dahlitz, on a countback.
Now let the moaning begin about his shrinking handicap.
On a day when scoring wasn’t overly easy, the always-hard-on-himself Mark Sappenberghs won the A grade with just the 34 points.
Lamenting his poor tee shots and general all round ability, Sappsy will just have to do better next time.
Dahlitz continues to play in club champ Aaron Zrim’s group and he must be picking up something because his round of 39 points was a very good one to take out the B grade.
Junior member Oakley Edwards continues to impress reeling off an excellent 37 points and a win in C grade.
It has been a while since a hole in one was scored, but three players were oh so close on Saturday.
The fourth hole’s cup took a pounding when both Justin Elliott and Con Jones claimed their tee shots bounced out.
Elliott’s ball shot to 15 feet away and three putts, just to rub salt into his wound.
On the 11th, Echunga visitor Nick Hall won the yabby when wedging to within a few inches – so near yet so far.
Murray Bridge shooters struggle in strong wind
The recent strong winds have challenged shooters at long range as members of Murray Bridge Rifle Club shot from 800 metres on August 24 and 1000 yards on Saturday.
On Saturday, a brave few came out in very strong winds to shoot 1000 yards.
Shooters were battered by the gusting winds, blowing down range and flicking from left to right with no warning.
Needless to say, some very low scores were recorded; but coming out on top in both handicap and off-rifle, with the score of 87.02, was David McDonald.
- Read more: www.facebook.com/mbrifleclub.
Mypo win, inaccurate kicking costs Jervois in RMFL finals
Finally, reigning premiers Jervois have been eliminated from the River Murray Football League’s A grade finals race after a frustrating loss to Imperials at home on Sunday.
A direct path to the grand final will be on offer as the Cats and Tigers go head to head at Mypolonga this Saturday, while the Suns and Blues will have their seasons on the line at Imps on Sunday.
Mypolonga 11.10 (76) defeated Southern Mallee 5.7 (37)
- Mypolonga best: Jack Kluske, Reid Kuller, Patrick Davies, Riley Robinson, Clark Stegmeyer
- Southern Mallee best: Thomas Keough, Declan Gladigau, Josh Smithson, Jordan Jones, Billy McNeilly
Imperials 10.12 (72) defeated Jervois 8.18 (66)
- Imperials best: Luke Harrowfield, Jack Penfold, Nathan Daish, James Clarke, William Crane
- Jervois best: Peter Zarantonello, Joshua Scott, Abraham Nyemah, Bradley Gabell, Bienfait Bigazi, Luke Kluske
