North Canterbury News: February 15, 2024

SPORT
The North Canterbury News, February 15, 2024
Plenty of spin at annualcricket comp
By JOHN COSGROVE
23
The Highlanders faced off against the
Coasters in their annual clash on
Saturday morning, keen to overturn
decades of losses on the pitch.
For the past 20 years or so, the
Highlanders —those who live on the
western side of the Waikuku Beach
village —have only won the Waikuku
Beach community cricket trophy a
handful of times, and last weekend they
missed the opportunity again.
The Coasters —those who live on the
coastal side of the village —fronted up
at the South Oval adorned in colourful
floral leis, keen to retain their iron grip
on the trophy.
Organisers say it was the biggest
turnout they had had in years, and tight
bowling from youngsters such as Liam
Galbraith, aged 14, made their mark on
the pitch, sending the Highlanders into
negative territory very quickly in their
session.
In the end, the score didn’t really
matter as it was all about fostering
community spirit, says organising
committee member Tim Holland.
‘‘The kids loved it, their parents loved
it, we all had agreat time and with the
kind help of Rangiora Toyota, Heasley
Fencing and Ferry Panel &Paint, plus
many others, it turned out to be agreat
day.’’
While the adults were engrossed in
supporting the bowlers and batsmen
alike, the children also had their day on
the field, playing games on the second
pitch.
Tim says the cooler weather made the
day perfect, although the outfield was
heavy and abit damp, restricting the
ball'srun to the circle, “but we all had
fun.”
For him, the highlight was meeting
new neighbours and talking to old
friends.
Dads help. .. Michael Harford helps his son Phoenix (5) to play
during one of the childrens matches at the annual Waikuku Beach
Community Cricket day.
PHOTOS: JOHN COSGROVE
Handy spin ... Liam Galbraith (14) bowls for the Highlanders at the
annual Waikuku Beach Community Cricket day while Umpire Corey
French looks on.
Got it. .. Ben Poulter batting for the
Coasters.
Fine cut. .. Blair Sheat makes contact playing for the Coasters.
NC SPORTSRESULTS
Rangiora Bridge Club
Thomas Pairs: North/South: Judith
Driver/Tony Biddington 1, Sue McIlroy/
Beverley Brain 2, Veronica Hall/Pauline
Miller 3. E/W: Margaret Pickering/Janice
Pickering 1, Dawn Simpson/Steve Noad
2, Sue Solomons/Craig Shannahan 3.
Open Pairs: N/S: Dawn Simpson/
Veronica Hall 1, Jill Amer/Joyce Gray 2,
Sharyn Rudolph/Pat Green 3.
E/W: Liz Duke/Jenny Shore 1, David
McRae/Marion Lomax 2, Norm Shipley/
Nita Sheasby 3.
Premier Pairs: N/S: Janice Pickering/
Maree Felstead 1, Alison Price/Derek
Wilson 2, Tony Biddington/Owen Evans 3.
E/W: Nikki Luisetti/Richard Peter 1,
Jenny Story/Peter Story 2, Tom Rose/
Rona Maslowski 3.
Waimakariri Gorge Women’s Golf
Stableford, 18 holes: Kathy Bush 46, Bron
Faulkner 45, Janne Pottinger 43, Liz Scott
41, Sandy Farrar 39, c/b Wendy Mehrtens
39, c/b Jos Deans 39.
9Holes: Jan Stewart 21, Julie Smith 19.
Nearest the pin: No 4: Charlita
McDonald. No11: Kathy Bush.
Nett Eagle: No 16: Liz Scott. Sandra
Macdonald.
Rangiora Golf Club
9­hole golf results.
Stoke/Nett: Men: Hudson Deane 33, 1;
John Gregan 35 c/b, 2; Ross McQueen 35
c/b, 3. Women: Carol Van Hout 31, 1;
Catherine Boddy 33, 2; Annie Cameron
35, 3.
PROUDLYSUPPORTINGLOCAL SPORT
RANGIORA