Sports reports: Rocket Ronny will race across Asia
Plus the latest in lawn bowls and cricket after a rainy weekend.
This story includes contributions from Michelle Greene and Derek Vanderzon.
Monarto local Judd Plaisted has officially been selected to compete in the 2026 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup.
Fresh off becoming Australia’s youngest ever dual FIM Mini GP national champion, with consecutive titles in both the 160cc and 190cc classes, Plaisted will now represent Australia on the international stage.
He is one of only two Australians selected for the 2026 ATC and also the youngest rider in the team.
Following an incredible response to this year’s campaign, 83 riders from 18 nations were shortlisted from nearly 20 countries across Asia and Oceania.
After a rigorous on-and off-track assessment at the selection event held at the Sepang international kart circuit in Malaysia, Plaisted was confirmed as one of the standout performers.
“This is a dream come true,” he said.
“Being selected for the Asia Talent Cup is a massive step in my career and a big move towards my ultimate goal: to one day race in MotoGP.
“I can’t wait to represent Australia and learn from the best young riders in the world.”
- Read more: rocketronnyracing.my.canva.site.
Murray Bridge stays on top after rain-affected bowls round
Meanwhile, rain has intervened in Saturday’s pennant matches in Lower Murray bowls, but results were still achieved.
Murray Bridge remain undefeated after defeating Mannum 53-39 on all rinks at Mannum in their top-of-the-table clash.
Darren McIntosh, Tony Trewren, Sam Hill and Paul Smart profited from a strong start to defeat Gavin Pfeiffer, Tom Towns, David White and Colin Campion, 18-10.
A four on the first end was followed by a five on the fourth, and McIntosh was soon out to an 11-shot lead.
A three on the 14th to Pfeiffer was to be the last score, as rain brought an early end to the match.
Bruce Attrill, Charlie DiSanto, Judy Zadow and Brian Leckie managed to squeeze in 17 ends in their 19-14 win over David Kempe, Graham Wakefield, Graham Leathers and Garry Odgers.
Attrill was on top early, but when Kempe scored successive threes the scores were tied at nine apiece after nine ends.
A disastrous 10th end handed the gains straight back, with Attrill picking up six shots in a defining end.
The next six ends were singles only as Attrill consolidated.
There was a three to Kempe on the final end before the rain reduced the margin to five shots.
Andrew Stasinowsky, Brian Traeger, Helen Lindner and Ben Traeger held off Terry McDonnell, Marty March, Stephen Gregory and Ron Van Tijn by a single shot, 16-15.
Staz opened with a four and had the better of things early, but McDonnell remained within touch and drew level after 13 ends.
A three and one to Staz gave him breathing room as the rain approached before McDonnell also responded with a three to be just one behind when play was abandoned.
At Karoonda, a fast start by Jervois got them up on all three rinks for their first win of the season, 61-40.
Graeme Herbert, Jeremy Scannell, Shane Fromm and Stuart McCulloch broke their match open against Erin O’Malley, Garry Mason, Damon Fromm and Anthony Clothier with successive fours on the sixth and seventh ends to go 10 shots up, and they went on to win 23-14.
O’Malley closed the gap through the middle stages, to within three shots after 14 ends, but Herbert once again powered away before rain brought an end to play after 18 ends.
After conceding two on the first end, Tim Hicks, Heather Fromm, Bruce Smith and Neil Morris were untroubled in an 18-11 win over Ian Symonds, Belinda O’Malley, Don Loller and John Wegner.
By the 12th end Hicks led 16-5 after twice winning four successive ends.
When light drizzle began to fall, the locals appeared to adapt better and reduced the deficit to seven shots.
Derek Vanderzon, Shawn Hicks, Graham Schenke and Graham Fromm started brilliantly against Rowan Zadow, Len Symonds, Tarryn Turner and Bill Cornish with two, four, four and one to jump to an early 11-0 lead, and led 14-5 at the break.
However, once Symonds got going he prevented further damage, and the locals managed to close the gap to five shots when rain stopped play with 18 ends completed.
At Tailem Bend a commanding performance by Sam Shepherd, David Hoare, Stuart Rooke and Grant Byrne over RSL’s Jason Sipos, Kerri Bolt, Brenton Sinclair and Garry Daniel guided Tailem to their second win and kept RSL anchored in last place.
Sipos began well with the opening three ends to go 5-0 up, but things turned dramatically after that as Shepherd won 11 of the next 12, adding 22 shots to one.
A five to Sipos gave some temporary respite, but Shepherd immediately responded with a five himself and went on to win 32-15.
Duane Edwards, Merv Stevens, Con Jones and Chris Slattery won 22-13 over James Galbraith, Jack Vinck, Cooper Galbraith and David Newell.
Fours on the first, seventh and eighth ends gave Edwards control of the match against his opponents, who could only add singles after the third end.
Galbraith won 10 ends but was unable to inflict any damage on the scoreboard.
Matt Wynne had a rollercoaster ride in his first job as skipper, with his rink of Michael Walker, Gillian Newell and Phil Day eventually prevailing over Travis Schenke, Rob Hales, Kevin McDonald and Matt Kowald 23-20.
Wynne had a picnic early, and led 15-1 after seven ends, courtesy of four, five and three in successive ends.
A two to Schenke was immediately negated by a three as the lead became 15 shots.
Schenke slowly closed the gap after the break, but Wynne was still comfortably ahead 21-9 after 16 ends.
Successive threes closed the gap, but a sudden five to Schenke drew him within a single shot with all the momentum and two ends remaining.
However, Wynne stemmed the tide, clinching singles on the final two ends in an eventful win.
Murray Towns Cricket Association results
Monarto 1/58 defeated Ramblers 10/57
- Monarto best: Josh Mildwaters 5/19, Ethan Smith 26*
- Ramblers best: Keynan Harradine 17, Lual Kelei 1/16
All other A-grade matches were abandoned.
Email your sports reports to peri@murraybridge.news.
