Sports Reports: Michael Saye wins lawn tennis’ inaugural Peter Paech Memorial Trophy

This post includes contributions from Graham Buttle, Racing SA, Daniel Irvine, Murray Bridge Golf Club and the Murray Towns Cricket Association.

Michael Saye has won a new award for the Murray Bridge Lawn Tennis Association, which held its grand finals and presentation night over the weekend.

Saye won the Peter Paech Memorial Trophy as the male winner of the most games during the 2021-22 season.

Delrae Thomas took out the same honour in the women’s category, but was absent from the presentation night.

The new trophy was presented in memory of Paech, a valued participant in the local tennis scene for many years who passed away during the season, by his wife Bev and son Craig.

Aidan Morrell was named this year’s men’s singles champion.

He was presented with the Morrell Cup by his grandparents.

His grandfather Owen, a local tennis great, won the same title on 10 occasions, hence the name attached to the prestigious perpetual trophy.

Tash Abbott from the Littlehampton Tennis Club was this year’s winner of the Lower Murray women’s singles title.

She was presented the Bryan Cup by John and Coralie Bryan.

In pennants, Postel whitewashed Swanport seven sets, 54 games to one set, 29 games.

What could have been if Swanport had been able to win the three tiebreaker sets played and had their top gent been available?

Junior division one side Coorong defeated Swanport 10 sets, 73 games to five sets, 53 games in their grand final.

In junior division two, Sportsmen defeated Schools nine sets, 74 games to six sets, 61 games.

McEvoys continue their run of good form on Magic Millions Day

Tony and Calvin McEvoy have had a day out at Murray Bridge on Magic Millions Day, walking away with both feature races.

High-priced yearling Twin Stars was impressive, beating All Sassed Up in the Two-Year-Old Classic with Jake Toeroek in the saddle, while Barend Vorster guided Zoist to victory in the inaugural Three- and Four-Year-Old Classic.

McEvoy said Twin Stars, who fetched $225,000 at last year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling sale, was a horse with plenty of scope going forward after winning on raw ability.

“He’s a lovely big horse,” McEvoy said.

“He’s a gangly sort of fellow and he’s growing into his frame.

“He’s always shown us he had nice talent.

“I think he’s a miler when he gets a bit older.

“He’s big and strong and Jake did a great job on him, giving him a bit of cover.”

Zoist, who was a $280,000 purchase, was perfectly ridden by Vorster to join in strongly on the turn before proving too strong late.

Zoist was the second leg of a winning double for Vorster, who won the opening race aboard One More Jack, while Jess Eaton also banked a double in combination with Michael Hickmott with Oath of Omerta and Munster.

• Read more: racingsa.com.au.

“Chainsaw” slices up the field at Murray Bridge Golf Club

A dangerous player on his day, Paul “Chainsaw” McCulloch, has revved his game right up and slashed his way to victory in a Stableford competition at Murray Bridge Golf Club.

Feeling his way through the front nine with a handy 18 points, he rocketed home with a flurry of three-pointers to edge over the 40-point barrier and finish with a brilliant 41.

It was pretty to watch, although not so attractive for his regular, big-punting playing partners, who were out of pocket by day’s end.

With the greens having been lightly cored and sanded earlier in the week and also without having been mowed, players needed to adapt to the much slower than normal pace of them, not to mention the leaves which also made life tricky on some of the greens.

There were no such worries for hot A-grade golfer Tyson Pratt, who caressed his way to a magnificent 40 points off his seven handicap – a stunning effort considering the conditions.

Wily left-hander Luke Williams was runner-up in the top division with a more than handy 38 points as he controlled his big right-to-left drives off the tee to perfection.

It was a very good day for the Williams family, with SOL – son of Luke – Shaun taking out the B grade by matching his dad’s 38-point effort.

Jeff Smith had been down in the doldrums a bit lately with his golf but he is a player capable of flicking the switch at no notice.

This he did on Saturday, winning the C grade with a much improved 37-point round.

It was great to see new member and C-grader Brock Freestone pick up the nearest the pin on the long second hole, a hole regularly won by the long-hitting A-graders.

McCulloch won the pro comp for the best back nine with his blazing 23 points and good mate Terry Marsh picked up the yabby for his delightful strike over the bunker on 17.

Strap yourselves in for a stroke round this Saturday long weekend.

• Read more: murraybridgegolfclub.com.au.

Rifle club members endure difficult weather

Conditions were once again trying on Saturday for the 10 Murray Bridge Rifle Club members competing from 600 metres.

There was a strong wind from the right, blowing off the lakes, which, while it kept conditions cool, certainly tested competitors, with scores reflecting the challenge.

Shooters even had to endure a brief but reasonably heavy shower of rain at the start of the afternoon.

F-class was well represented on the day despite many members travelling to Lower Light to attend the rescheduled SARA AGM.

The best on the day was David McDonald in open, who shot a 54.02 and a 56.05 to win top off-rifle ahead of John Cranwell, who also shot a 56 in his second round.

Not far behind them, however, was Gordon Harrison, shooting in F-standard and finishing top with 105.07.

Also shooting well in the tricky conditions was Oscar Neumann, whose pair of 50s in F-standard was enough to give him the F-class handicap win on a day where the top three handicap scorers were barely separated by a point.

There were only two shooters in TR for the day, so no handicap awards were presented, but in a rare occurrence, Daniel Irvine finished top with a 92.02, including a well shot – given the conditions – 47 in his first round, letting himself down a little in his second round by scoring a dreaded “bird”.

But he was unable to use his stamp again this week because, in a just-as-rare occurrence, the Magpie Award was won by Greg Traeger, who scored three birds for the day, highlighting just how tricky the conditions were.

Next week will be contested from 300 metres, an ideal range for anyone interested in trying the sport to arrange to come out and have a go.

Murray Towns cricket results

Mypolonga 6/183 (B Wrigley 57) defeated Monarto 49

Meningie 6/146 defeated Imperials 8/144

Correction: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect first name for Mr Paech’s son.

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