Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Racing & Sport

Fishing

More than 80 barra now worth a million dollars: Potter

More $10,000 tagged barra have been changed to be worth a million dollars each, taking the grand total of Barramundi worth a million dollars to more than 80. There are still $10k fish waiting to be reeled in, but from today the chances of hooking a red tagged barra worth a million dollars are through the roof.

Coming up

Fishing

Ovens River Challenge 2024: Australian Trout Foundation

The Ovens River Challenge at Myrtleford Victoria is again on for young and old ... Widely renowned wildlife artist and fly fisher, Trevor Hawkins, will be present to show some of his fantastic works of fish and bird art ... we are researching the abundance of the endangered Macquarie Perch and Trout Cod.

Racing

Girl power carried the day

Last Friday was International Women’s Day and the spirit of the event carried over to the Towong race meeting the next day when two female jockeys and a trainer made their mark while two sisters and their cousin celebrated a home-town victory in the Cup. After finishing second last year, classy seven-year-old mare Euphemia made amends with a 3 1/2 length victory in a course record ...

Pickleball

Getting pickled has never been so much fun

If I asked you to play pickleball, what picture would you have? ... Being pickled and chasing a yellow fluffy ball—no, that sounds like tennis! ... The game is a racket or paddle sport in which two players or four players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball with paddles over a 34-inch-high net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. 

Tennis

Donald’s long weekend of tennis

Over the long weekend, the Donald Lawn Tennis Club held its 70th Labour Day Tournament in some of the hottest weather conditions the tournament has experienced for many years. In what was a cool summer in the Mallee, heat wave was timed to perfection for the three-day weekend! Thankfully the pool was open at the end of day’s play for everyone to cool off.

Endurance

Snake Valley event attracts big field of endurance riders

Victorian Renee Henry and Kollage MI have taken out the Snake Valley Dash Endurance ride’s perpetual line honours trophy ... There were 80 horse and rider combinations competing across four distance levels - 20km, 40km and 80km distances as well as a 5km course to accommodate younger riders and newcomers to the sport.

Fishing

Fun in the sun with record catches at Moulamein fishing comp

393 fish were caught during the Moulamein Football Netball Club’s annual fishing competition. ... This year's event saw entrants become citizen scientists, forming a partnership with Dr Nathan Miles from NSW Fisheries at Narrandera to record vital fish data to monitor fish numbers between the Balpool Bridge and 19-mile reserve on the Edward River at Moulamein.

Cricket

Donald-Jeffcott beats the heat

The decision by former long-standing cricket clubs, Donald and Jeffcott, to amalgamate at the start of the 2023-24 season reaped the ultimate reward when Donald-Jeffcott won both “A” and “B” grade Wimmera Mallee Association premierships on Saturday.

Boxing

Drop Bear strikes again

Kimberly Grabham. Locally grown MMA champion, Danielle ‘Drop Bear’ Curtis, daughter of Linda Wright and Les Curtis, has done it again! The fierce, independent Drop Bear fought in the Co Main Event of Pallas Athena Women's Fighting Championship INC in Canada.

Racing

Ready to race

The Towong Turf Club is expecting a record crowd and full fields for its Cup meeting on Saturday after receiving 268 nominations for the seven-race card. The 2023 $30,000 Costello Rural-Life Plan Strategic Solutions Towong Cup is shaping up to be a hotly contested event with 2022 Mischinka aiming for a second victory.

Carriage driving

Carriage drivers cut a dash at Battle of the Borders

Carriage drivers from all around Australia, plus volunteers and visitors from as far away as Canada, made the Level 2 “Battle of the Borders” CDE at Carbery Estate, Mullengandra NSW, an outstanding event.

Boxing

‘Drop Bear’ off to Calgary

Kimberly Grabham. Home grown MMA Champion Danielle ‘Drop Bear’ Curtis is jet-setting abroad once again, to fight ... Danielle is stepping up a weight division on short notice ... This is so she can fight at bantamweight in the Co-Main Event of the show ... the Pallas Athena Women's Fighting Championship ... in Calgary Canada ...

Powerboats

Racing to rave reviews on the Clarence River

Seeking an extra splash of excitement, hundreds of spectators lined up along the banks of the Clarence River at Corcoran Park in Grafton … as the Northern Rivers Aquatic Club hosted a high-powered day of racing ... "It’s great for the local community that this event was able to go ahead because it brings tourists to Grafton, and it also helps to support the Northern Rivers Aquatic Club": Ricky Howard.

Motorsport

Tennant speedway drivers represent at Arunga Park

Karen Jones. Local speedway racer Jamie Jones showcased his skills against eight other Top Stars Junior Sedans in the Centralian title at Arunga Park Speedway last weekend, delivering a commendable performance. Joining him from Tennant Creek in the Street Stocks was Jayden Giezedanner who also made his mark in the competition.

Pikleball

Introducing pickleball

Pickleball: it’s one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and it’s now coming to Clifton. The best way to describe this new sport is to say it’s similar in some ways to tennis but played on a smaller court using a paddle instead of a racquet and using a ball that is more user friendly than a difficult, bouncing tennis ball.

Fishing

Tintaldra whopper landed

A leisurely fishing trip with some mates from Jeremal Bridge to Tintaldra on Saturday became very memorable when Josh Boers landed this 93cm Murray cod, much to the envy of his fellow anglers.

Rugby league

Junior Warriors taste success in Adrian Vowles Cup

Glyn Rees. Far South West Queensland came to life last Friday & Saturday, with the much-anticipated junior rugby league Adrian Vowles Cup under way at the Charleville Showgrounds. The Carnival is named after Cunnamulla born local legend and 1994 Maroons State of Origin representative Adrian Vowles.

Cricket

One day cricket winners

Nhill Home Hardware Cricket (West Wimmera Warriors).

Golf

New greens draw a crowd

The investment in synthetic grass greens has proved a winner for the Corryong Golf Club with more than 50 players from across the region competing in the annual tournament on Sunday - the largest field for many years. The highlights of the day were Division 1 Women’s winner, Dana Lampitt, shooting a new course record of 84 and Gordon Webb recording the second best round on the new course with a 77 in the A Grade Men section.

Bowls

Wedderburn wears midweek crown

Wedderburn is North Central Playing Area’s midweek pennant premiership team after defeating Wycheproof by 7 shots in an exciting and fitting end to a very successful season, played at the St. Arnaud Country Club. For much of the game, Wedderburn held a slight advantage, which stood at 11 shots shortly after the luncheon resumption, 52 ends having been completed.

Education

Sponsorship boosts school swim carnivals, water safety programs

Pam Dillon. Neil Scriven from Scriven Exploration Pty Ltd is again sponsoring Barkly Region Sport Education swimming and water safety program. Neil’s company, Scriven Exploration Pty Ltd, which explores for minerals north of Tennant Creek, recognises the importance of water safety in remote communities.

Harness racing

Baxter NZ wins at Gunbower

On Sunday, passionate harness racing enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of harness racing at Gunbower. The event featured a VIP lunch, speeches from industry representatives, and memories shared by racing legends who have participated in the longest harness racing track in Victoria spanning 2,630 metres. 

Rodeo

Narrandera Rodeo draws crowds from across Australia

The 67th Narrandera Rodeo on Saturday attracted competitors and visitors from all over Australia ... A wide range of activities was available for competitors to participate in, including all the usual favourites of Bull Rides...

NRL

Clydesdales early season winners

Only months after the ARLC and Andrew Abdo withdrew financial support for the Western Clydesdales it seems common sense has prevailed and the decision has been reversed. Last November, leaked emails from NRL CEO Andrew Abdo to the QRL revealed the ARLC did not support the Clydesdales’ inclusion in the QRL Hostplus Cup competition as it did "not consider that such participation is in the best interests of the game as a whole".

Hiking

Hike to Heal launches into 4th year

Last Saturday Hike to Heal Australia launched its flagship event, the Hike to Heal Scavenger Hike, at the Mount Peel Bushland Park between Westbrook and Drayton ... to support the cause of suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

NRLW

Magpies ready to tackle women’s rugby league

Women's rugby league is charging downfield in Australia, attracting packed stands and igniting excitement across the nation. Leagues like the NRLW and state-based competitions are witnessing a surge in attendance, proving the doubters wrong and demonstrating the sport's undeniable appeal.

Cricket

Successful Pink Stumps Day

Kaniva hosted a successful day for Pink Stumps Day and Ladies Day, raising vital funds for breast cancer research, raising over $4,000, as well as winning the day’s game against Western Flat 129-7-131. This is Kaniva’s 3rd time hosting the event and first back since covid restrictions.

Cricket

Hay hold Creet Cup in a nail-biter

West Wyalong’s senior cricket team travelled to Hay on Sunday in the hope of wrestling the Creet Cup away from Hay. Winning the toss and batting the Hay openers Dean Aylett and Liam Whitbourne got off to a steady start getting the total to 18 before Dean was caught behind in the ninth over.

Rugby

Sports museum welcomes rugby royalty

The Allora Regional Sports Museum committee played host to rugby union royalty last Saturday with Queensland Red’s fullback Mac Grealy calling to make a presentation to and tour the museum with his family. With fifteen Queensland appearances to his credit so far, the exciting young Reds star considered a player of the future, kindly donated and signed one of his match worn Queensland Reds jerseys.

Greyhound racing

Scintillating qualifiers off the richter at Grafton

The Grafton Greyhound Racing Club hosted a 12-race program ... with the running of The Clarence heats over 660m taking centre stage on the night as trainers looked to qualify their talented stayers for the $25000 final this weekend. Trained on the Central Coast by Gary Stewart, Off The Richter began only fairly from box 1...

Basketball and State cricket

On an elevated stage

Peter Argent. In her second game back from a knee reconstruction, Stephanie Talbot (Kadina) played a vital role in the Adelaide Lightning’s third successive victory at the 36ers Arena on Saturday evening. Talbot came off the bench and ignited the Lightning in the first half against the Melbourne Boomers, with eight points, seven rebounds, a couple of assists, three steals and a blocked shot.

Equestrian

Charlton’s Charlotte rides for Australia

Charlton Pony Club local, Charlotte Stewart, will represent Australia next month in Mounted Games in New Zealand as part of the prestigious Horse of the Year (HOY) event held annually. Charlotte was selected as part of the team competing at HOY by the Australian Mounted Games Association committee.

Motorsport

Tennant Creek Speedway celebrates its own Rising Star

Tennant Creek Speedway had been forefront of motor sports throughout the NT over the last couple of weeks. Jamie Jones was nominated for 2023 Junior Driver and 2023 Rising Star in the Motor sport NT awards.

Water skiing

Top class skiers and performances at Malibu tournament

Narrandera's Lake Talbot was again the venue for round 5 of the 2024 Malibu Tournament Series over the weekend ... This tournament caters for three event skiers in tricks, slalom and jump and is a favourite venue for many of the water skiers.

Kayaking

Mates paddle for vets

Three men who have experienced conflict first hand have banded together to kayak the length of the Murray River to raise awareness of Soldier On and MatesHeroHelp, two charities supporting current and former defence personnel.

Sailing

Sun City Yacht Club is in the heart of Two Rocks

During a visit to Sun City Yacht Club reporter Betheney A’vard talked to club members about their focus on introducing people to sailing but also found out about the Two Rocks community rallying together to seek heritage status for the area.

NRL

Giving back drives NRL Hogs Tour to visit country schools

The NRL National Hogs Tour stopped to visit Casino High School ... NRL player Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters) and women’s rugby league stars Jaime Chapman (Titans) and Yasmin Clydsdale ( Knights) played and chatted with the students ... Brad said Casino was “really rich on NRL players.”

Awards

Clarence Valley Sports Awards celebrate 10th anniversary

The tremendous accolades achieved by the regions talented athletes, established sports clubs, and local sports personnel were highlighted during the 2023 Clarence Valley Sports Awards at the Bowlo Sports and Leisure Yamba ... As the annual event proudly celebrated a decade of sporting legends for its 10th anniversary, close to 200 people ... gathered together in excited anticipation.

Youth - Allora

Wattles juniors sign on for 2024

Glyn Rees. Club President Aaron Gilmore is enthusiastic about the season ahead, after such a successful 2023 season that reaped three grand final appearances in the international grades, including an undefeated Under 13 team premiership success.

Youth - Wimmera

Charlies Surf School for West Wimmera youth

A visit to the beach is not something that happens everyday for many of the young people in West Wimmera. For most it is around a 2 hour drive to the nearest beach.

Rugby league

Wattles hatch new hooker

Glyn Rees. Thomas Hatch is the latest addition to the Travis Burns coached Stillwater Pastoral Company Wattles Warriors top grade outfit, and according to the experienced mentor the 21-year-old hooker has hit the ground running.

Cricket

The other Noah would be impressed

You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and latch on to the affirmative . . .” That’s precisely the advice followed by Donald-Jeffcott’s Noah Berry when he took to the crease against St. Arnaud’s “A” grade at the Jeffcott ground on Saturday.

Ball games

Alkimos Ball Club a big hit with kids

Alkimos Ball Club was created in 2016 and offers tee-ball and baseball for both juniors and seniors. The aim of the club is to allow people to pursue these sports in a friendly social environment.

Carriage driving

International standard arena opens in Bundanoon

There is cause to celebrate in the Southern Highlands with the completion of an international standard Arena in Bundanoon, and everyone is invited to the Grand Opening at 11am on Saturday 17 February ... And this is another feather in the cap of the Carriage Club, which was awarded the 2023 International Carriage Club of the Year by the British Carriage Driving Society.

Surfing

Evans Head surfer rides wave for near perfect score at Hawaii comp

Surfer Callum Robson has done it again. At the World Surf League Series Lexus Pipe Pro in Hawaii, Robson scored 9 points in his heat ... The 23 year old Evans Head surfer described what the winning wave at Oahu was like.

Marathon

Mighty marathon win for local athlete

Cassie Fikri from The Yard Narrandera won the women’s all round half marathon at Batemans Bay at the weekend. Her time was one hour and 39 minutes, which is a personal best for her.

Motorsport

Thousands flock to see Red Bull Ampol livery

In front of a massive crowd at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport last Sunday, Red Bull Ampol Racing revealed its 2024 Supercars Championship liveries that will feature on the team’s two Gen3 Chevrolet Camaros.

Barkly

Dillon leaves a visual lasting legacy

Little did Pam Dillon know when she accepted a six-month contract to come to Tennant Creek that it would develop into a 10-year passion for delivering sports education to communities and schools in the Barkly.

Harness racing

A win for Aussie battler

Peter Hibberd. Victorian harness racing hobby trainer, Paul Castle, and his wife, Fiona, didn’t hold back their emotions when ten-year-old gelding Touchandgo (Down Under Muscles) got the money at his 49th race attempt. The victory at the Wedderburn Cup meeting ... had added significance, as it was the first training success for Castle, of Swan Marsh, 20 minutes from Colac.

Sailing

Vincent Kennedy

It was a great result for yacht Oroton Drumfire and her crew in the last Sydney-Hobart race. Vincent Kennedy ... was part of the winning team, taking out the PHS division and coming in 30th over the line in a fleet of 85.

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