New partnership takes out Oregon trail rally

RHIANON Gelsomino has partnered with 16-year-old Lia Block to take out the Oregon Trail Rally at the weekend.

The Wedderburn-born sports legend said: “Lia and I went to the event with the goal of taking away 22 championship points and three powerstage championship points in 2wd class (maximum points in class).

“We knew the Oregon was one that would suit the Subaru BRZ!

“After some Stage 1 doughnuts Friday night and overheating issues on Saturday’s stages, we sat third 2WD and 11th overall American Rally Association.

“Lia and I had a very clear fo- cus and goal for Sunday, to claw back the time we had lost the previous two days.

“With 17 seconds to make up to take back the 2WD lead, we come out firing on Sunday, taking the 2WD lead after the first two stages.”

Rhianon said from that point, the partnership built its lead and set some incredible stage times. “In stages 15 and 16, we were second fastest overall, with only Subaru Motorsports USA - Brandon Semenuk beating us and stages 17 and 18 we were third fastest overall.”

Rhianon and Lia finished the 2WD event first and fourth overall.

The winner was Keith Bird on 38 points on a countback from wife Glenda.

Nearest the pin on the 13th was Owen Bailey while Macca Smith with a eagle on the 10th cleaned out the eagles nest.

Last Friday’s chook run had nine competitors, winner was Robbie Tonkin with a great 26 off the stick

Inglewood

Carol Canfield with 64-25-39 won last week’s ladies competition with runner up Helen Ward 55-12-43. Count putts winner was also Carol with 12.

Women play on Wednesdays and new players are welcome to be part of weekly events.

Dogs take defeat

PYRAMID Hill had its first A Grade loss of the season when up against a rebounding Maiden Gully on Saturday.

The Bulldogs had been on a roll but could not stem the strong attack and goal-shooting ability of the reigning Loddon Valley premiers.

.A stirring third quarter saw Mitiamo shrug off a determined Calivil who had kept pace with the Superoos throughout the first half.

The Superoos outscored their opponents 15-7 in the defining third term and went on to win by 14 goals.

Bridgewater hit its straps after the first term to get the edge of Bears Lagoon Serpentine in the second quarter before the two went goal for goal throughout the second half.

Eventual honours went to the Mean machine by just three goals.

In the other game, Newbridge was too polished for Inglewood.

Loddon Valley

Juniors at regional titles

NORTH Central and Loddon Val- ley associations competed in Sunday’s Northern Association championships in Bendigo.

In the 13 and under age group, it was Central Murray that performed well to make the final but would ultimately lose to Bendigo Strathdale. North Central battled hard to make the semis.

In the 15 and under division, it was Central Murray again who stood tall for central Victoria performing very well to make the semis but they’re day was over after a loss to the Wimmera.

In the battle of the central Victorians, Loddon Valley fought hard to claim victory over Heathcote District FNL in the final match of the day.

In the 17 and under division, Bendigo remained undefeated in its 2023 Association Championships Season to claim the Final with a strong victory over Central Murray.

Bendigo and Central Murray teams now proceed to the State Association Championships in Melbourne where they will compete against the best in the state.

Redbacks face another tough task

Hill 59-39. Bears Lagoon Serpen-

19, 29, (29) lost to Bridgewater 12,

30, 36, (36) d d

WEDDERBURN will be up against another tough opponent when North Central netball resumes after the bye on Saturday.

The Redbacks had their first loss in four years at the hands of momentum-charged Boort a fortnight ago and at Donaldson Park this weekend, come up

Silver medals at championships

NORTH Central Hockey Association representative sides have returned from championships at the weekend.

The junior country championships are the biggest event on the hockey calendar for our junior players.

Last weekend’s North Central league bye created to accommodate this fantastic weekend was apreciated by clubs.

Lasting friendships are forged between players or renewed as teams form to represent the North Central Hockey Association.

The excitement began on the Friday evening as two buses made the trek from Sea Lake and Birchip, snaking their way through each town to pick up 85 players and 30 supporting adults to embark on a weekend of hockey in Parkville, Greensborough and Essendon.

With only a few hours training as a team behind them and limited experience on the synthetic turf all teams performed admirably.

The Under 13 boys were coached by Kristy Knights and finished with a silver medal with their only loss being the grand final to Ballarat 0 -3 who had no goals

Hockey

scored against them for the tournament.

The under 13 girls under the guidance of Ella Lanyon finished fifth with three wins and three narrow losses.

For many this was their first JCC experience and their positive experience will guarantee their return next year.

Nicola Kirk enthusiastically coached the under 15 boys team who were unlucky not to win a few more of their closely-contested games. They finished seventh in their competition.

Kate Gifford’s under 15 girls improved as the tournament progressed, working hard on their game plan and creating a great team structure.

They finished on a high beating Sunraysia 3–0 to finish seventh.

Harrison Bowles and James Paley cocoached the under 18 boys who had a tough start playing their first against the team who had won the tournament for the last two years.

To their credit they stayed strong throughout the competition and will be a team to watch with so many bottom age players.

The under 18 girls were coached by Naomi Fitzpatrick and the team gelled from the start of the tournament with their against Birchip Watchem that sits in third place on the ladder. A win is vital for the Redbacks to keep pushing for a spot in the top two. It’s a similar battle in B Grade where third versus fourth will provide plenty of action when the teams take to the court. short passing enabling them to deftly eliminate the opposition. They won all four games leading up to the grand final and had a tough game against a very slick East Gippsland to finish with a silver medal.