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WORLD CUP WRAP
Minnows light up tournament The All Blacks produced an underwhelming performance but the tournament’s lesser nations provided an unexpected spark to light up week one of Rugby World Cup 2011. The anticipated blowouts in rugby’s showpiece event have so far failed to eventuate, with teams like Japan, Romania and USA raising the suspicion that the gap between rugby’s rich and poor may be shortening. In the eight matches played so far, the All Blacks’ 31-point victory over Tonga in the opening game remains the highest winning margin. The jury is still out as to whether the tighter-than-expected matches involving Ireland, Scotland and France are a reflection of those sides’ lack of form or the improvement of their opponents. Either way, the contests were much closer than anyone would
have envisaged. Japan (ranked 13th) played with pace and potency against number four-ranked France to trail by just four points with less than 15 minutes to go. The final score (21-47) flattered the French, and could have been much different. USA (ranked 18) showed stoic defense to hold eighth-ranked Ireland to 10-22, while 17thranked Romania nearly pulled off a colossal upset, leading 7th-ranked Scotland 24-21 with 13 minutes to go before letting in two late tries. From New Zealand’s point of view, a promising first half against Tonga was spoiled by a shoddy second half as the hosts stuttered to a 41-10 win. Continuity in selection ahead of its next match against Japan (on Friday) will be vital if New Zealand stands to gain anything
>C yClING By Damian George Marlborough Boys’ College cyclist Callum Saunders has produced an unprecedented effort at the Cuddon two-day schools tour of Marlborough on the weekend, claiming all three jerseys and overall victory in the under-17 boys’ division. The 15-year-old, racing against several national junior representatives, collected the sprint ace, king of the mountains, and tour leader jerseys in the annual event. The success follows a standout performance at the national track championships in Invercargill in March, in which Callum was part of the gold medal-winning 750m sprint team and finished in the top five in every event.
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from its first two matches. Reinstating the crucial Ma’a Nonu-Conrad Smith partnership is an exception to that rule, despite an outstanding performance from Sonny Bill Williams at second five-eighth. Elsewhere, defend ing champions South Africa held off Wales in a heavyweight encounter 17-16, England repelled Argentina 13-9, Fiji accounted for Namibia 49-25, and Australia downed Italy 32-6. StandingS: Pool a: New Zealand, France 5; Canada*, Japan, Tonga 0. Pool B: Scotland 5; England 4; Argentina 1; Georgia*, Romania 0. Pool C: Australia 5; Ireland 4; Russia*, USA, Italy 0. Pool d: Fiji 5; South Africa 4; Wales 1; Samoa*, Namibia 0. * yet to play a game.
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ten in each of the four under-20 girls’ events, including third place in the hill climb and time trial, while Georgina Catterick took third place in the under-15 girls’ hill climb.
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Softball seeking big numbers >SoF TbAll By Damian George The Marlborough Softball Association is hoping to attract enough players to re-introduce a separate Senior B grade for the 2011-12 season, which kicks off on Saturday. Association president Joe Kelly says two teams will again compete in the Senior A competition and a college grade will go ahead. But whether or not the Senior B and college grades will again have to combine, as they have done for the last five to six years, will depend on numbers, Mr Kelly says. The association is holding a muster at A & P Park between
4pm and 5pm today. Mr Kelly says no Senior B teams have yet registered, but is hoping that will change as the senior season draws closer. Under-15, under-11, and tee ball grades are scheduled to commence at the Base Woodbourne sports ground on Saturday. Mr Kelly says a total of six school-grade teams have so far registered for the tee ball competition, a disappointing number considering 18 teams took part last year. “Cricket got in early again and scored some good numbers,” he says. The Senior A Nelson-Marlborough competition is scheduled to
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damian george
Saunders cleans up at schools tournament The weekend’s event, involving 175 cyclists from 60 schools across New Zealand, included a 3k time trial, criterium speed race, 1.5k vertical hill climb, and 28k road race. “That was an excellent result,” Callum’s coach Chris Ginders says. “There were some very good riders in the field who are well up there in the track nationally and on the road. “It’s a great result to take all three.” Several other Marlborough riders also performed well in the event. Under-20 boys’ riders Peter Crampton and Letham LandonLane picked up a total of seven top-10 placings between them, with Peter finishing second in the king of the mountains standings. Jess Barnes finished in the top
Wednesday September 14, 2011
begin on October 1 with the two Blenheim sides squaring off. Both sides will travel to Nelson the following weekend. The Marlborough men’s and women’s senior teams will play in the Jubilee and Jefferies Cups in Christchurch this year. The association is also planning to bring a men’s and women’s side from top Christchurch club Richmond Keas to play in Blenheim during the season. Blenheim will host both the Seddon Shield (between Nelson and Marlborough) and South Island Under-15 tournaments this season. Mr Kelly says the association welcomes any assistance with scoring, umpiring and coaching.
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