Sports reports: Alex Bolt wins Wimbledon wild card

This post includes contributions from Tennis Australia’s Leigh Rogers, Murray Bridge Rifle Club’s Daniel Irvine, Murray Bridge Golf Club, the River Murray Football League and the Hills Eight Ball Association.

Murray Bridge’s Alex Bolt has won his third career ATP Challenger title – and earned himself a Wimbledon main draw wildcard.

The 28-year-old fought back from an early deficit and navigated rain delays to overcome world number 112 Kamil Majchrzak, of Poland, in the Nottingham final over the weekend.

Bolt served 12 aces in his 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

It capped a stellar week for Bolt, who had entered the tournament on a nine-match losing streak.

He won seven matches after coming through qualifying and was rewarded with a coveted Wimbledon main draw wildcard.

“The European trip for me hasn’t gone to plan,” he said.

“Before this week, I haven’t won a match since February.

“It means everything to win here and to get the Wimbledon wildcard is just unbelievable.

“Once I got the first win, the confidence came back into my game and it just got stronger and stronger as the tournament went on.”

It will be Bolt’s second main draw appearance at Wimbledon, having previously qualified in 2018.

• More information: www.tennis.com.au.

Jarrod Lienert kicks his first AFL goal

Murray Bridge product Jarrod Lienert has kicked his first AFL goal for Port Adelaide.

The defender took a hand-off from Steven Motlop near the 50-metre arc and kicked truly as Port romped home against the Gold Coast on Saturday.

It was Lienert’s first game of the 2021 season and 20th of his career.

Is there a pot of gold under that first green?

This photo was taken last Saturday during the a par competition at Murray Bridge Golf Club.

The winner of the sponsor’s daily trophy was Mitchell Lienert with a score of two-up.

He is on a roll, having also won last Wednesday’s Stableford comp with 39 points.

Not only that, as he walked out the door on Friday evening he cheekily predicted he was due for another good one.

The best score of the day was a regular visitor from Echunga, Neville Jordan, three-up, but unfortunately visitors can’t receive the sponsored trophy of the day.

Rules are rules, so he took out the runner-up prize.

The runner-up in A grade was Luke Williams, also on two-up, but on a count-back.

The B grade winner was another visitor, this time from McLaren Vale: Graham Vivian, two-up, with runner-up Raphael “Feathers” Fetherstonhaugh square.

The C grade winner was Barry Sparrow from Echunga, one-up, with Ken Graetz runner-up, square, on a count-back.

Further back in the field with scores of square were Rob Magor, Steve Angove, Luke Woods and Echunga visitors Craig Eichler and Vivian Smith.

What is it with these visitors taking out so many prizes?

It must be Murray Bridge’s dry course compared to their home club that gets them going.

No problems – they are always welcome.

Nearest-the-pins were Stephen Gow on the second, Ray Feathers on the fourth, Jeff Morgan on the sixth, Paul Harding on the 11th, Michael Haslett on the 14th and Graetz on the 17th.

The yabby went to Feathers, pro comp to Lienert and Mark Bolton had another eagle on the 12th.

This coming weekend is the annual captain versus captain Stableford event.

Rifle club splits – for a day, anyway

It didn’t look promising on Saturday morning as the Murray Bridge Rifle Club tried to finally shoot its already weather-delayed captain versus vice captain competition.

Fortunately, persistence paid off and the morning showers passed into what was a cold but pleasant afternoon with a more or less consistent breeze from the right.

The 10 shooters present were divided into two five-person teams, with the aim to try and build some coaching and team shooting practice within the club.

To equalise across the different classes, off-rifle scores were converted using the MCSI-14 tables which were utilised at the recent ladies’ state teams in Bendigo, producing some interesting results amid the banter that was freely exchanged between teams.

The day featured some good off-rifle scores and some good wind-coaching from those who might not normally get a chance to do so, which led to a possible and a 59 by Mark Nesti; a pair of 59s from David McDonald; and 49s from Greg Traeger, Jazz Irvine and Andrew Heard.

However, once converted the overall results were extremely close, with the captain’s team – led by Traeger – emerging as the winners by a mere 2.8 points, to the jovial complaints of the vice captain’s team headed by Heard.

Those present had a good time on the range that continued back in the club house, where shooters were reminded of next week’s AGM and the Cranwell 15-shot match, which this year is going to be shot Bisley style, with three to a target and competitors scoring for each other, from 800 metres.

Shooting will commence at 10am and the AGM at 1.30pm, with the canteen putting on a lunch that will include steak sandwiches.

River Murray Football League round 12 results

Jervois 26.11 (167) def Ramblers 3.2 (20)

Jervois goals: J. Scott 11, Z. Makins 5, P. Zarantonello 2, B. Wilson 2, Z. Barry 2, T. Silverlock 1, T. Gibson 1, M. Pope 1, M. Kemp 1. Best: J. Scott, L. Kluske, B. Wilson, Z. Barry, M. Noye.

Ramblers goals: B. Ellis 2, R. Vanson 1. Best: M. Hartman, B. McDonald, A. Pratt, M. Marchetti, R. Vanson.

Mannum 23.10 (148) def Meningie 4.3 (27)

Mannum goals: I. Hampel 6, B. Quinn 4, T. Russo 2, D. Gladigau 2, J. Bormann 2, D. Laubsch 2, J. Cook 2, G. Budel 1, C. Horstmann 1, B. Boughen 1. Best: B. Tabe, M. O'Malley, J. Castley, Z. Bullard, J. Bormann.

Meningie goals: D. Harvey 1, M. Greenwood 1, J. Ling 1, J. Hoad 1. Best: B. Vandenbrink, B. Halliday, S. Sanders, W. Angas, M. Miller.

Tailem Bend 15.12 (102) def Imperials 12.10 (82)

Tailem Bend goals: T. Starkey 2, J. Wilson 2, J. Bell 2, N. Westhoff 2, B. Rossi 2, B. Hansen 1, D. Finnie 1, J. Dawson 1, T. Geyer 1, C. Smelt 1. Best: B. Rossi, N. Westhoff, T. Geyer, D. Perks, T. Starkey.

Imperial goals: S. DeMichele 4, J. Boras 3, H. Montgomery 2, S. McMahon 1, L. Young 1, R. Farnham 1. Best: H. Montgomery, L. Harrowfield, L. DeMichele, N. Daish, S. McMahon.

Juniors invited to come and try eight-ball

Do you have children, or know any children, who would like to give eight-ball a go?

The Hills Eight-Ball Association will host a free come-and-try day for children aged six to 18 at the Bridgewater Sports and Social Club, at the corner of Mount Barker and Towers Roads, from 12pm on July 15.

A sausage sizzle, drinks and snacks will be provided.

• More information: Call Cory Eyers on 0423 403 755 or search for the Hills 8 Ball Association on Facebook.

Murray Bridge News is happy to share news, results or photos from sporting clubs throughout Murray Bridge and the surrounding region, free of charge. Email peri@murraybridge.news or call 0419 827 124.

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