Sports reports: Five hard court tennis titles in a row for Jervois

This story includes contributions from Michael Potts, Cindy Hein and Gordon Armstrong. To express an interest in sponsoring this weekly feature, email jane@murraybridge.news.

After months of fierce competition, the Lower Murray Hardcourt Tennis Association senior season has culminated in a grand final win by the team from Jervois, 10-78, over Brinkley, 2- 51, marking five seasons in a row they have held the shield aloft.

More than 80 people attended a presentation event which saw individual and team awards handed out.

In the senior awards, the top two players in each category came from the teams that fought the grand final.

Troy Clasohm from Jervois won the most sets (male), with runner-up going to Brinkley’s Paul Hein.

Team order was reversed in the women’s award with Brinkley’s Barb Hein winning most sets (female), with Jervois’ Lauren Schulz runner-up.

In the junior divisions, there was some very close competition across the season.

• Junior division one: Mannum Echidnas 5-36 defeated Jervois Vipers 4-21
• Junior division two: Lutheran Spin 5-45 defeated Lutheran Smash 4-44, with the winner being determined by the final set of the day
• Junior division three: Lutheran Rally 3-34 defeated by Jervois Bulls 6-42

Adam Temple fires on return to Murray Bridge Golf Club

Quality A-grader Adam Temple left Murray Bridge Golf Club a few years ago to pursue employment opportunities up in the northern states, but now he has returned and returned with a bang – a bang big enough to claim a stroke competition in his first hit-out back at the Bridge.

Playing the old course after the new holes were deemed too wet to play, the ginger-haired Temple, playing off a nine handicap, cruised around in a two-under-par nett 66 to have a couple of shots up his sleeve from his nearest threat, Jake McIntosh, who won the A grade with his nett 68.

The course remained lush and with little run, making stroke days tough for the short to medium hitters, and the scores reflected this.

When was the last time the C grade runner-up finished with a six-over nett 74?

Hard yakka indeed.

C grade winner Nifty Neville Briggs didn’t mind, though, as he kept down the middle and out of trouble to score a nett 69, which included a brillliant strike on the par three 11th to within a few feet of the pin and a rich yabby win.

Less complaints are being received about the bunkers since the installation of new, finer sand to some of them as their steady upgrade continues.

There have been more than a few reports recently of players hitting the wrong ball.

Doing so brings on a horrible feeling of dread once realised and a sense of “what a waste” after applying the quite harsh two-shot penalty to one’s scorecard.

Players shouldn't need reminding to check their balls before hitting.

It will be time for a par round this Saturday.

Angelo Picca is too good at Tailem Bend

A recent stroke competition held at Tailem Bend Golf Club has been taken out by Angelo Picca 99/69.

The A grade went to Ben Dawson on 70, followed home by Trevor Coombe on 72.

Peter Phillips 74 narrowly defeated Terry Haydon 75 for the B grade.

Overall winner Angelo Picca 69 also took out the C grade by four shots from Jason Dunkin.

Nearest the pins were shared by three golfers: Paul Baxter on the third, Darren Owens on the sixth and 12th, and Jason Dunkin on the 10th.

Friday racing leaves Murray Bridge trainers on top

Murray Bridge and Strathalbyn trainers have dominated a rare Friday race meeting at the Bridge, winning eight of the nine races between them.

Murray Bridge trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray, aiming for a good showing at the coming South Australian carnival, look to have another promising member in their stable in Like A Drifter.

The promising young runner bolted in at its fourth start to take out a three-year-old maiden over 1100 metres.

Taking up the early running with Tala Hutchinson on board, the victor cruised away in the run home to beat Camoweal Girl and Veloce Girl.

Mick Huxtable also looks to have a promising runner to enjoy in Innominate.

After a couple of top runs, the winner broke its maiden at its fourth run to give the Murray Bridge mentor a win and success for jockey Alyssa Warren.

Serinite Illusion also is giving former jockey and now Bridge trainer Sophie Logan plenty to look forward to.

The last to load pre-race and way off the pace early, jockey Jason Holder kept at it to haul in evergreen France’s Boy and Head of the Herd.

Lomax returned from a 21-week break in fine fettle flashing home in the final race over 1200m to win for Bridge mentor Paul Carey with Campbell Rawiller on board, edging out Global Turn and Liselle’s Luck.

Cats start their premiership defence with a win

River Murray Football League, round one

• Southern Mallee 13.14 (92) defeated Mypolonga 4.1 (25)
• Imperials 11.10 (76) defeated Mallee 9.9 (63)
• Coorong 9.11 (65) defeated Jervois 8.8 (56)
• Mannum 14.14 (98) defeated Ramblers 3.5 (23)

Tight loss not quite the start Storm wanted

River Murray Netball Association, round one

• Mypolonga 51 defeated Southern Mallee 45
• Mannum 58 defeated Rambler 41
• Mallee Storm 26 lost to Imperial 27
• Coorong 77 defeated Jervois 42

Send your club’s sports reports to jane@murraybridge.news.