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Sports reports: Legacy fours day held at Murray Bridge RSL

Plus the latest in horse racing, 10-pin bowling, golf and more.

Jane Intini, Contributed

01 Apr 2026 — 6 min read

Representatives of the army, air force and veterans take part in a Legacy bowls match at Murray Bridge RSL. Photo: Supplied by Joe Di Santo.

This story includes contributions from Terry Hann, Michael Potts and Joe de Santo.

Murray Bridge RSL Bowling Club recently hosted its annual Legacy Day fours in near-perfect conditions, with a full field of 18 teams from across the state competing to help raise funds for Legacy.

Legacy in the Murraylands and Mallee region hosts five lawn bowls events each season.

The season typically begins in October at Jervois Bowling Club, followed by events at Geranium, Mannum and Karoonda, before Murray Bridge RSL closes the season.

Funds raised from these events support families of those who served and sacrificed, providing essential social and financial support to partners and children of veterans who have been injured or killed in service to Australia.

Legacy assists more than 2000 families in South Australia and over 28,000 nationwide.

Legacy lawn bowls events have been hosted in the region for the past 20 years.

This year also marked the first time the event received support from the Australian Defence Force Lawn Bowls, with three teams participating: an Army team, an Air Force team, and a combined team of veterans and family members.

For ADFLB, the Legacy event was a chance to engage with the wider community, highlight ADF Lawn Bowls, welcome new serving bowlers to the sport, and connect with veterans and the public — all while helping raise funds for Legacy.

The event also gave South Australian serving members a valuable chance to reconnect, welcome new participants, and continue preparations for the ADFLB National Championships, which will be hosted at the Salisbury Bowls Club in Adelaide this October.

Altogether, the 72 bowlers helped generate more than $2000 for Legacy.

The Air Force team took out the win and then went a a step further by donating their prize money back to the organisation.

In the months ahead, ADFLB will put out a call to bowls, encouraging registered ADF lawn bowlers, permanent and reserve forces, to step forward and strengthen player numbers for this year’s 2026 National Championships.

L-R: Runners-up Robert and Nyssa couldn't quite catch winners Gaye & Robert this time. Photo: Murray Bridge Bowls

Ten-pin Scotch doubles are a big success

Over the weekend the 2026 nine no-tap Scotch Doubles was held, and as always, was a lot of fun for the teams that participated at Bridge Bowl.

Bowling in Scotch doubles format, it was a true team game, with teammates left to pick up anything to spare.

The winners of Murray Bridge Club vouchers for the first H/C 300 game was Gaye and Robert, who took the lead after game four and didn't look back, winning the day by 45 pins.

In second was Robert Tyass and Nyssa Greenshields who also got the second H/C 300 game, but couldn't quite snatch the lead back from Gaye and Robert.

Congratulations to the winners and runners up and everyone that participated on the day.

Cash takes home some cash at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo: Atkins Photography.

Local trainers rewarded in the city and mid-week at Strathalbyn

Murray Bridge trainer Michael Hickmott was relieved to see the promising Cash live up to its potential winning the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Benchmark 82 1600 metres on Saturday at Morphettville, rounding up the field out wide to win easily with Jett Stanley in the saddle.

Oxford Blue ran a fine race to hold on for second, while the ultra-consistent Brown Nose Day Gal, also trained in Murray Bridge, snared third prize.

Morphettville and Murray Bridge-based trainers dominated the seven-race meeting at Strathalbyn on March 25, each region claiming a treble.

Bridge trainers Andrew Clarken (Power of Time), Stephen Theodore (Savsonic) and Stuart Padman (Joviale) flew the flag for their connections.

Stuart Padman's Joviale came from midfield, swamping the leaders on the turn and doing best in the run home over 1,600m.

Tofino boxed on nicely for second, while Joviale’s stablemate Morlaix enjoyed a nice run for third position.

Savsonic enjoyed a clear class edge on its opponents over 2,050m, and a very fast pace to time its run well for Murray Bridge trainer Stephen Theodore and jockey Isaac Sit.

Finally, a most impressive win by Power Of Time to run over the early leaders to win for trainer Andrew Clarken in the Adelaide Hills Gas handicap over 1100m.

Players getting ready for a round at Tailem Bend Golf Club. Photo: Tailem Bend Golf Club

Andrew Nottage takes win at Tailem Bend Stableford

Andrew Nottage has taken out the Stableford at Tailem Bend Golf Club on Saturday with 41 points.

Jason Duncan followed Andrew home on 39 points with Randall Cocks on 37 points finishing in 3rd.

The nearest the pin competition was shared amongst four players: Baz (3rd), Paul Baxter (on the 6th and 10th), Craig Hogben (12th) and Chris McLoughlin (17th).

Winner of the longest putt went to the very busy and accurate Paul Baxter (1st).

Mark Bolton breaks par off a four handicap. Photo: Michael Potts.

Top golfer breaks par in Murray Bridge

Club manager and seriously good A grader Mark Bolton shot one of those rare sub par rounds last Saturday to easily win the Stableford competition.

Tallying 41 points, this equated to just 69 strokes on the par 70 new course.

Not having played for a few weeks after being forced to recover from a hand injury, Bolton also had to contend with freshly cored greens from earlier in the week.

The putting surfaces had been given just a light needling though rather than a full blown messy aeration which was common practice years ago.

Known for his piercing distance off the tee, unerringly accurate approach shots when on song and unwavering concentration, these traits were certainly on display on this occasion as the four handicapper gave the 76 strong field no chance of catching him.

Mitch Lienert is another long-hitting A grader who only makes spasmodic appearances on course due to work commitments but made this visit worthwhile by winning the A grade with an excellent 38 points.

Very promising junior Cohen Naughton, off just a 10 handicap himself, was runner up and with a terrific back nine of 21 points and found himself the pro comp winner on a count back.

Work continues on the upgrading of various bunkers on course with new sand being installed and run off water being diverted away from them, but patience is required from players as the bunkers concerned settle and bed in.

With the recently removed local rule of 'lift, rake and place' in the bunkers, life is suddenly a bit tougher if one encounters a tricky lie.

Beefily built club president Glenn Bargeus, not noted for his subtlety on course, showed that he can, however, pull out a delicate shot when required when he beat a lot of very good players to be closest to the pin on the par three 11th and claim the rich Yabby purse on offer.

One doesn't have to be a single figure golfer to win this exotic comp day prize.

With Easter coming up this weekend another Stableford day is planned for Saturday, and for those golf tragics out there another Stableford event will be on offer on Easter Monday as well.