Sports reports: RMNA rep teams among the best at Country Championships

This post includes contributions from Michael Potts, the River Murray Netball Association and Heather Richards.

Fifteen and under division two become runners up

The River Murray’s 15 and under division two team at the SA Country Championships, coached by Olivia Bolt and Gretchen Scannell, has finished second.

Sunday’s games didn’t quite go the way the team had planned with a couple of unexpected losses.

This meant the team was allocated to division two for Monday finals.

In the first game, the quarter final against Eastern Eyre, the team’s game was much improved in a dominant 10-goal win.

The semi final against KNTNA was a nail-biter and full of excitement.

During the second half the team was five goals down; they dug deep to win by one with less than a minute to play.

The team took winning momentum into the grand final but unfortunately were outplayed by a quicker and well versed Port Augusta.

Down by 12 at half time, the RMNA didn’t give up, only going down by 15 in the end.

Not only have the girls improved their netball skills from one of the RMNA’s most decorated players, Olivia Bolt, but they have also built their friendships.

Fifteen and under division three are second best

The 15 and under division three team, coached by Elyse Faehrmann, Leah Anderson-Morris and Kim Mitton, also finished second.

Their country champs ended with them second on the ladder, placing the team in division three, facing Adelaide Plains first up for the day.

The girls settled quickly and took the win 24-11, going through to the grand final.

Next they faced Roxby Downs, which was always going to be tough after going down to them by one goal Saturday and wo goals on Sunday; tiredness seemed to set in and the girls lost 31-11.

Credit to Roxby Downs: they played great netball, and leaving with a medal was still pretty good.

It was a great effort by the girls from the start of the year to now, they have improved immensely and played some great team netty over the weekend.

Fourteen-year-old young gun wins golf comp

On an unbelievable day of high scoring it was junior player Oakley Edwards who ended up grabbing the spotlight after topping the scoreboard with a massive 43 points to win the Stableford competition.

Just recently starting out on his golfing career the 14 year old son of former MBGC member and past Club Champion Anthony Edwards, a scratch golfer at his top, has great bloodlines to become a very good player.

He is also the grandson of club legend and multiple trophy winner Graham Edwards. 

Playing with a mish mash of clubs belonging to various family members - Dad, Grandma & heavens knows who else - the pint sized junior was heard saying he needs his own set of clubs and a putter that putts balls into the hole! 

His highlight of the day, amongst a few, was outdriving playing partner and recently crowned Club Champion Aaron Zrim on the 18th hole.

Sure Zrim only used a hybrid off the tee for accuracy but we won't let that spoil a good story.

Hopefully, this is the start of a long career in golf so well done Oakley.

With the never ending Indian summer then Indian autumn and now Indian winter the pristine golfing conditions remain.

Has there ever been a day where winners and runners up in all grades have scored at least 40 points?

Hmmm, the groundsmen might be planning a few snags for next Saturdays round surely.

Meanwhile, all the players in the list above have enjoyed pretty good days so well done to all.

Zrim won more balls from the eagles nest after curling an amazing second shot from the right hand rough on the 12th to within five feet for an eagle.

Standard stuff for this guy it seems.

The laconic Andrew Meddle won the Yabby for his fine strike on the tough 14th hole.

The back nine pro comp was a walkover for the days winner Oakley Edwards as his scorching 25 points here gave no-one else a chance. 

This Saturday sees a foursomes event for both mens and ladies with Club Championship honours on the line so time to get serious.

Amber Weber awarded in the under 17s top 10

Amber Weber, a local from Mannum, has been named among the best netball players at the SA Country Championships in the under 17 competition.

Weber was awarded with the inaugural 17 and under top 10 award.

Her club, Mannum Roos, said it was proud of her dedication to the game and her presentation on the court.

Murray Bridge hosts table tennis doubles tournament

Finally, Murray Bridge and Districts Table Tennis Association has held its annual doubles tournament on June 4 at the Murray Bridge Showground complex.

Thirty-two local players entered the handicap doubles event with a knockout draw.

Cath Challinger and Azizi Wa won the keenly contested event 31-25 over Fraser Hicks and Bob Hancock.

The doubles comp was split into three groups using the singles position played by each competitor.

The three groups were team singles positions one and two: then three, four and five: then six and seven.

This ensured the competition was evenly played amongst similar abilities.

First to finish were the six and seven group with a win to twins, Fraser and Sophie Hicks, over Cath Challinger and Peter Hicks, no relation.

The section was played in great spirit with lots of great rallies and laughs.

The next draw to complete was the three, four and five section.

Due to there being more participants, the draw was firstly put into two round robins to find the top placed pairs. 

With both pairings being undefeated in their round robin group, a close five setter final went to Bob Hancock and Heather Richards over Warren Doecke and Nathanael Mann.

The one and two section was keenly contested with some great shots and rallies from the cream of the competition. 

The final was a tight contest in a four set match.

The win went to Laurette Norton and Shane Denman over Darren Attrill and Matthew Ahrens.

The associations singles tournament will be held on July 16.

Spectators, fill-ins and new players are always welcomed at the matches.

They are held on Tuesdays from 7.30pm in the Ken Wells Pavilion at Murray Bridge Showgrounds.

Social hits and practice is held on Friday nights from 7.30pm.

The U3A group also holds a five week program through each school term 9.30-11.30am on Wednesdays.

There are plenty of opportunities to play this sport at any age or ability, with local qualified coaches available for advice and lessons.

• More information: Contact the club on 0409 324 450, email csteveh6@gmail.com or call U3A on 0413 704 951.

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