Sports reports: Weather hampers rifle shooters at long range

This story includes contributions from Daniel Irvine and Michael Potts.

Shooters have faced the most challenging range the sport offers as they competed from 1000 yards at Monarto on Saturday.

The weather did not help competitors either, as rounds were shot in between downpours of rain and with difficult-to-read wind.

The standout for the day was John Cranwell, who continued his good form, scoring a 57.02 and 55.01 for 112.03 to take off-rifle honours in F-open.

The handicap competition was close in both grades with Jazz Irvine edging out her father, Greg Traeger, by 0.8 in TR, while Frank Marshall won F-class by the barest of margins, 0.1, ahead of Cranwell. 

Given the conditions it was no surprise that a number of magpie threes were shot, with Irvine and Gordon Harrison claiming the “bird” prize in their respective disciplines with four and three, respectively.

Things will move closer again next week as competition continues from 400 metres.

Rain causes havoc at Murray Bridge Golf Club

Meanwhile, the advent of much-needed statewide rains last week, coupled with heavy traffic on course after recent major events, the decision was made to revert back to the old course at at Murray Bridge Golf Club for Saturday's Stableford competition.

The new holes on the old racetrack were deemed particularly vulnerable, and so were given a rest, as were all carts from the entire course, to help prevent compaction issues in sensitive areas.

Consequently, it was only a small field of 37 who ended up enjoying a relatively enjoyable day with only a few showers intervening at times.

Judging by the scores, the retro day was enjoyed by many, with handy returns common.

Angus Diment clearly found no issues out there in winning the day with a more-than-healthy 41 points in a great display of consistent golf.

Runner-up and club champion Aaron Zrim shot the lights out to be on track to match this score until a rush of blood on the last green led him to bogey the hole and finish second with a still excellent 39 points.

Patrick Evans had a great round going but looked to be headed for a disappointing finish when he found his second shot on the 18th end, almost up against the barbecue behind the green.

No worries – a brilliant lob wedge over the bunker and to within tap-in distance from the hole gave him another three points and a third-place finish of 38 points.

Visiting superstar golfers Tim Atze and Jared Thoman made an appearance, with Thoman in particular being very much on song in returning an excellent 36 points off his one handicap.

Aaron Zrim eagled the par four ninth hole, Adrian Pack won the yabby on the 11th and Pat Evans nailed the pro comp on a countback with a 21-point back nine. 

Cats defeat Mallee Storm by massive 29-goal-win

• Coorong 29.12 (186) defeated Mallee Districts 0.2 (2)
  Coorong best: Charlie Fisher, Seb Kerrish, James Hargreaves, Keenan Jacobs, Angus Weir, Logan McCabe. Mallee best: Chris Rudiger, Matthew Brown, Christopher Rodriguez-Jamez, Kynen Adams, Brodie Case, Mark Deionno
• Southern Mallee 12.15 (87) defeated Tailem Bend 8.8 (56)
  Southern Mallee best: Josh Towk, Rory O’Driscoll, Jack Secomb, Josh Smithson, Ryan Wurfel. Tailem best: Jacob Wilson, Lincoln Pitt, Brodie Edwards, Daniel Zander, Tyler White.
• Mypolonga 10.8 (68) lost to Ramblers 12.12 (84)
  Mypolonga best: Jordan Hein, Reid Kuller, Rory Taggert, Jasper Martin, Jack Wilkins. Rambler best: Lachlan Butler, Mack Wenske, Jason Crouch, Jacob Trevorrow, Malik Edwards, Max Marchetti.
• Imperials 13.10 (88) defeated Mannum 5.9 (39)
  Imperial best: Mitchell Carroll, Clint Diment, Jack Penfold, Luke Harrowfield, Riley Daniels. Mannum best: Cody Woolford, Patrick Fahey, Chad Reschke, Kaiden Dohnt, Gus Haysman.

Round 14 for the RMNA

• Coorong Cats 57 defeated by Mallee Districts 77
• Mypolonga 57 defeated Ramblers 31
• Southern Mallee 71 defeated Tailem Bend 32
• Imperials 62 defeated Mannum 33

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