Sports reports: Alex Wilson shines as MVP in the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup

 This story includes contributions from Daniel Irvine and Michael Potts. Send your sports reports to liana@murraybridge.news.

Murray Bridge local, Alex Wilson, has stood out yet again with an MVP performance that lead Australia to a historic three-peat at the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup on March 30. 

Wilson was versatile as ever, leading her side in scoring with 34 points throughout the tournament.

Her effort on both ends of the floor took the Aussies a step above the competition in their three-peat run.

She took home the MVP award and join the Women’s Team of the Tournament alongside Japan’s Fuyuko Takahashi and Mengyun Zhou who was the offensive powerhouse for China.

Harris clocks fastest Top Fuel pass in Australian history

The 2025 Riverbend Nationals hosted 25,410 people across the three-day event, reflecting strong interest and support from local and interstate spectators throughout the weekend.

The fans witnessed a breathtaking display of power and precision as Damien Harris of Rapisarda Autosport International clocked the fastest Top Fuel pass in Australian history.

At 331.96mph (534.23kph) he shattered the national elapsed time record with a 3.683-second run at Dragway -the quickest ever recorded outside of the USA.

The run is just 0.06 seconds shy of Brittany Force’s world elapsed time record, an achievement long thought unattainable on Australian soil.

These record-breaking performances have positioned the 2025 Spring Nationals (October 3–5) as a legitimate stage for an assault on the Top Fuel world record.

Busy day for Murray Bridge Rifle Club

It was a busy day at the Deed Range in Monarto last Saturday as the Murray Bridge Rifle Club shot a double header from 400m and 500m to try and make up for rounds lost due to recent heat.

A good turn out from both disciplines competed, beginning with 400m in the morning.

In TR, it was close at the top, with Greg Traeger, Andrew Heard and Robert Paech within a point of each other.

In the end it was Paech’s first round 50 that saw him win top off-rifle with a 99.13.

Traeger had some consolation, winning the handicap.

In F-Class, the early honours went to John Cranwell in F-Open, who shot a double possible to finish with 120.12, seeing off competition from Mark Nesti (119.09) and David McDonald (118.10).

Cranwell’s score was also enough to win the handicap for F-Class.

In the afternoon, the fine form continued.

Heard stepped up and scored his own double possible, winning 500m in TR with 100.11, ahead of next placed Paech (98.09) and Traeger (97.09), both of whom scored their own possibles in the first round.

The score was easily enough for Heard to win the handicap prize for the range.

Cranwell also continued his immaculate form, scoring a second double possible for 120.11 to top score, once more by a narrow margin ahead of Nesti (119.10), who shot a first round possible.

This time however, Cranwell’s father-in-law, Peter Casley, in F-Standard, spoiled the perfect day by winning the handicap award.

Casley scored an impressive 115.10, including a 59.05 in his first round, to claim the handicap from Cranwell by four points.

Members will try an additional double header next week to bring them up to date with the program schedule, when they shoot from 600m and 700m.

Doddy ain't to shoddy          

Local golfing guru Garth Dodd showed everyone just who was boss on Saturday when he tamed the 85 strong Doecke Electrical Stroke field in brilliant style.

Finishing with a five shot better than handicap nett 65 he edged out visiting Glenelg GC member Steve Shippey by a single stroke.

Doddy is known for keeping things casual on course often making light of difficult situations and seeing the lighter side of life and he certainly kept his game out of trouble enabling him to end up with such a good score.

Solid all round golf saw him atop the winners podium at days end and acknowledged as another popular winner.             

With no shenanigans reported from any players on course the day could be viewed as quite uneventful which is probably never a bad thing although it makes for brief golf reports.             

Sharp shooting A grader Tony Carter won another Yabby when he was closest to the pin on the par three 11th.

Larger than life super veteran Graham Edwards reminded everyone that he can still play a bit by racking up the best back nine for the day -a superb nett 30 to fill his pockets with Pro comp winnings.

Send your sports reports to liana@murraybridge.news.