Sports reports: Murray Bridge’s own Ally Wilson named a first-team all-star in WNBL

This story includes contributions from Derek Vanderzon, Daniel Irvine and Michael Potts. Email your sports reports to liana@murraybridge.news.

The Women's National Basketball Leaugue’s prestigious awards night took place in Melbourne on Monday evening.

On the night Murray Bridge talent Ally Wilson was named one of the five players in the All-WNBL first team.

The All-WNBL team is an honour bestowed on the best performing players in the league following the end of the most recent season.

The award also comes after Wilson made her Olympic debut with the Gangurrus in the 3x3 competition last year.

Now she is showcasing her talents with her new team, the Perth Lynx.

As a playmaking and scoring point guard, she’s happy to perform whatever role is needed to help her team win.

In her first season with the Lynx, Wilson finished the season ranked fifth in the League for assists (96), with impressive stats of 14.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.   

Keith Durham gets extra talkative after big win

Chirpy A-grader Keith Durham had even more to say than usual – and that's saying something – after conquering the 65-strong field that contested Saturday's par competition at Murray Bridge Golf Club.

Chugging along at halfway with a steady zero square with the card he unleashed on the back nine with a brilliant five up playing solid safe golf to win the day.

The one time he was in trouble was on the 13th when tree trouble reared its ugly head and he was faced with a eight metre putt to halve the hole.

No problems, it was his day so in it went for a saved hole and onwards to victory.

A wayward tee shot on 18 out toward the 10th fairway was quickly remedied with a high iron over the trees to the back of the green and another safe par just to show off to the clubhouse gallery.

Helped by being at his upper end handicap range of nine the ball still has to be put in the hole so well done Keefy.               

Old stager Luke Williams is battling an injury but continues to fight on without a grizzle and he was on song this time in winning the B grade with a pretty handy +3.

His big boomerang drives continue to defy physics but they work for him.          

C grade winner John Hadden had a stunning +6 back nine and when told he would have won the Pro comp if he had entered it he asked "What's that?".

Upon being informed that it costs just $1 to enter he vowed to pay up in future.

Better late than never and definitely better late according to Keith Durham who was the beneficiary of John's absence with his own five up back nine taking out the Pro comp instead.

John's playing partner Malcolm McFetridge has struggled a bit since joining in to play competiton golf but he has now had consecutive excellent scores and has clearly worked out what the game is all about.

Good to see his persistence paying off and may there be many more good rounds coming his way.             

Someone different to the norm won the Yabby when Ian Fletcher stroked closest to the pin on the awkward par three 14th hole, well done Ian.             

Word has it that the strong into your face southerly winds on the new par five 8th hole over on the old racecourse is putting off a few golfers who struggle with distance.

Rumour has it that Bill Fisher now putts out on the 7th green then says goodbye to his playing partners opting to head back to the clubhouse for a coffee and a sit down while his buddies play the 8th and 9th before he then rejoins them on the 10th tee!

Ah, a 16 hole round - way to go Bill.

Mannum are in the box seat to finish top

Wins to Murray Bridge and Jervois over Tailem Bend and RSL respectively have confirmed their place in this seasons finals with two rounds remaining, while Mannum are in the box seat to finish top after drawing with second placed Karoonda.

At Murray Bridge comfortable wins on two rinks saw Murray Bridge home 72-50 over Tailem Bend who are now firmly anchored to the bottom of the table.

Bruce Attrill, Charlie DiSanto, Michael Ferris and Brian Leckie were far too good for Travis Schenke, Merv Stevens, Kevin McDonald and Grantley Byrne, winning 26-13.

Most of the damage was inflicted in the first half, with a five and a three on successive ends going into the break giving Attrill a 19-5 advantage.

Schenke held his own after the break, but could not make any inroads.

Tony Trewren had his first taste as skipper in the absence of Darren McIntosh, and along with Les Trewren, Troy Penhall and Paul Smart recorded a 27-17 win over David Hoare, Rob Hales, Con Jones and Stuart Rooke.

Trewren made a bright start with seven shots to nil on the first three ends, only to be overtaken by the 8th end.

The lead changed hands twice more before a four on the 14th gave Trewren a five shot lead.

Hoare clawed back to within two shots with three ends to go, but once again Trewren broke away with the final eight shots of the match for a convincing win.

Duane Edwards, Michael Thorne, Kylie Slattery and Chris Slattery scored a last gasp 20-19 win over Brian Traeger, Ben Traeger, Helen Lindner and Andrew Meddle.

Scores were close throughout, but a five to Traeger on the 17th gave him a five shot lead, and he went into the final end still four in front.

Out of the blue Edwards snatched a five and a thrilling one shot win to salvage two points for Tailem.

RSL travelled to Jervois knowing that they would need at least ten points to remain in the hunt for finals.

With Graeme Herbert missing from Jervois' lineup for the first time in many years, it would have given themselves a strong chance, but eventually fell eight shots short 59-51.

Tim Hicks, Derek Vanderzon, Shane Fromm and Bruce Smith continued their recent good form, overturning an eight shot deficit after seven ends to win comfortably 22-13.

After trailling 2-10, Hicks conceded just three singles while adding 20 shots to win 22-13.

Graham Fromm, Jeremy Scannell, Denis Hicks and Stuart McCulloch had some nervous moments after waltzing out to a 21-5 lead over David Thiele, David Graham, Allan Wooldridge and Phil Day.

When Thiele picked up a six on the 18th he had closed the gap to just four shots, and more significantly RSL were ahead on the accumulated score.

An errant drive by Thiele while holding shot gifted Fromm a three on the final end to win 25-18.

Noel Kneebone, Matt Wynne, David Newell and Ann-Marie Kuchel were convincing 20-12 winners over Kevin Spinks, Graham Schenke, Rod Haris and Neil Morris.

Kneebone was well ahead from the outset, but Spinks at least managed to finish strongly, reducing a 14 shot margin to eight shots by winning each of the last four ends and easing pressure on the remaining rinks.

From heatwave to rain delays in Murray Bridge rifle club competition

This weekend weather again played a role in the Murray Bridge Rifle Club’s championship round from 1000 yards.

This time rain and gusty winds were responsible for the additional challenge, which is not normally needed from the longest range shot.

As a measure of difficulty, this round no one escaped scoring a dreaded magpie-three, not even Gordon Harrison, who had that distinction last week.

“Harro” did however, have the distinction of being the top F-Class scorer for the day, where his second round 55.03 helped him to 106.04 off-rifle in F-Standard, three points clear of next placed Nicole Edwards in FTR, with 103.03.

Harro and Edwards also finished first and second in the F-Class handicap respectively, followed by F-Open shooter, John Cranwell, whose 102.04 helped him to third place.

The “Magpie Award” for most threes shot went to Peter Casley with three.

In Target Rifle, Jasamine Irvine had a stellar afternoon, almost making a clean sweep of the awards.

Her excellent 46.05 in the second round earnt her an off-rifle win by a point from Robert Paech, 90.08 to 89.02.

Irvine’s high centre count also helped her to an impressive handicap win on the day, 15 points clear of second placed Paech.

In a rare occurrence, Irvine also had the misfortune of walking away with the “Magpie Award” to boot, counting out her father, Greg Traeger, with three birds.

Next week, shooters travel to Mt Barker to compete in the DRA Championship.

Mypolonga finish top after end of minor rounds

Monarto 5/105 defeated Tailem Bend 10/98

• Monarto best: Daniel Matthews 48, Brock Smith 4/9
• Tailem best: Paul Agalidis 38, Ethan Fiegert 1/14

Mypolonga 2/120 defeated Meningie 9/117

• Mypo best: Shannon Callery 58*, Aaron Zrim 4/18
• Meningie best: Cameron Reid 36, Tyson Bradley 1/13

Mannum 10/133 lost to Wanderers 7/173

• Mannum best: Josh Boylan 59, Kieren Hancock 4/17
• Wanderers best: Cameron Cox 61, Tom Watkins 3/17