North Canterbury News: February 29, 2024

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North Canterbury News, February 29, 2024
Canty Countrycricket team comes up short
23
By LINDSAY KERR
Adepleted Canterbury Country cricket
side came up short in avaliant attempt to
retake the Hawke Cup from holders
Hawkes Bay.
In what has been asee­saw script of
encounters in the past two years between
these teams, Country was put into bat in
the three day fixture.
It gave itself arealistic chance of
victory amassing 352 in 130 overs.
Heading the batting was Rhys Mariu
with 83. He was well supported by Jesse
Frew 56, before wickets fell at regular
intervals.
With the score at 200/7, arevival was
staged through the effort of Brayden Hill
67, Sam Chamberlain 51 not out and
George Gunn 40.
Hill and Chamberlain combined in a 74
run partnership for the eighth wicket, and
then Chamberlain and Gunn added 55
runs for the final wicket.
With batting getting easier, the Hawkes
Bay innings was dominated by BFoote
who scored 129 after batting through,
before becoming the fifth wicket to fall
with the score at 300. Only one further
wicket fell before Hawkes Bay achieved
victory after 128.5 overs.
One of the early highlights in the
bowling effort was the snaring of former
Canterbury Country captain, Hawkes Bay
opener, Jack Boyle when he was on eight.
Scoreboard; Canterbury Country 352
(Rhys Mariu 83, Brayden Hill 67, Sam
Chamberlain 51, George Gunn 40) lost to
Hawkes Bay 355/6 (B Foote 129; Sam
Chamberlain 2/52).
Karate grading ... Ruby Wilson (left), Liam Visker, Mark Stacey Sensei, Holly Taw,
Elizabeth Whittington, Kaz Hashimoto Shihan –International Director of Seiko­Kai,
Christopher Flannagan, Dan Visker Sensei, Kev Merriman Shihan, Fujio Takano Shihan and
Jake Dale.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Successful karate trip
Members of the Kaiapoi­based Seiko­Kai
Karate Club travelled to Shin­Kiowa,
Tokyo, Japan for black belt grading
examinations recently.
They were under the watchful eye of
legendary grandmaster (Soke) Suzuki
Seiko at the So­Honbu Dojo
(headquarters).
The team trained extensively over the
past year, under the guidance of 7th Dan
Chief Instructor Kev Merriman at their
home dojo in Kaiapoi.
‘‘It takes aminimum five years of
dedication, commitment and personal
sacrifice before being eligible to take a
Dan grade (black belt),’’ he says.
‘‘This past year Ihave watched this
group grow individually and as acollective
as the trip grew closer.
‘‘I have witnessed incredible spirit and
passion from each of them and it was an
honour to travel with them to Japan to see
them grade under Suzuki Soke.’’
In Japan the training intensified
building up to grading day with afocus on
performance delivery, and the most
critical elements that defines Seiko­Kai as
it’s own style.
Daily practice sessions averaged five
hours in local parks, and at the So­Honbu
Dojo, and consisted of intensive training
and refining movements and making
minor improvements to techniques.
Each team member had to perform
individually in front of apanel.
The team’s preparations paid dividends
with all of them passing.
Those graded to 1st Dan included: Holly
Taw (Jnr Shodan), Ruby Wilson (Senior
Shodan), Jake Dale and Christopher
Flannagan.
Taking 2nd Dan: Liam Visker (Jnr.
Nidan) and Elizabeth Whittington.
Sensei Dan Visker secured the rare
landmark of 3rd Dan (Shodan).
‘‘It was just brilliant to watch them
perform and see them all pass.
‘‘Ruby and Dan had both suffered
illness, but both showed that indominable
spirit synonymous with Karate.’’
‘‘Obviously, Iamdelighted for each of
them, and it is great news for our Dojo, but
Iamparticularly proud of my Dojo partner
Dan Visker Sensei who for most part has
had to sacrifice his own training to teach
regular classes, so credit to him for going
the extra mile.’’
‘‘They have come to understand the
importance of training in the spiritual
home of Karate under the guidance of our
revered Suzuki Soke.
‘‘I am confident it is now amemory they
will cherish for life.’’
Two silver medals to Kruize
One of the Rangiora Amateur Wrestling
club athletes, Kruize Pelesa, has won two
silver medals at the 2024 Oceania
Championships in Guam.
The Rangiora High School student
competed in the Freestyle Wrestling
under 17, 60kg division and the Greco
Roman Under 17, 60kg division, winning
silver in both group.
Coach Kevan McLaughlan says it was a
big trip for Kruize, particularly because
Guam is adifficult and remote place to
access.
He says Kruize has enjoyed many
highlights in his short wrestling career and
is poised to head to New York to compete
in the huge Journeyman's Tournament for
younger athletes.
This incorporates many other countries
and an international training camp is
included as part of the competition.
The club also had asenior wrestler,
Rikki Swete, selected for the competition,
but he had to withdraw due to the cost of
the trip.
‘‘This was apity as he would have been
amedal contender if able to go.’’
Both Rikki and Kruize were medal
winners at the NZ Championships held in
Tauranga in 2023.
The club has now started its 2024 season
and is looking forward to having athree
peat at the 2024 national championship as
NC SPORTS RESULTS
Rangiora Bridge Club
Thomas Pairs North/South:Tony
Biddington/Judith Driver 1, Denise Lang/
Margaret Barson 2, Des Steere/Lynne
Stephenson 3.East/West: WDavid
McRae/Fern McRae 1, Christine
Sweeney/Janene Mussen 2, Joyce Gray/
Judy Bruerton 3.
Rimu Pairs: N/S: Janet Apperley/Judy
Hayton 1, Carol Swailes/Geoff Swailes 2,
Penny Fisher/Liz Partridge 3. E/W: Jenny
Story/Peter Story 1, Maggie Johnston/
Helen Paterson 2, Robin Hassall/Dawn
Simpson 3.
Junior Evening: N/S: Annette Caldwell/
Gail Dunlop 1, Ben Prain/Julie Smith 2,
Gerard McCrea/Denis Milne 3. E/W:
Murray Messervy/Tim Marshall 1, Dani
Winning style ... Kruize Pelesa in the red,
during one of his fights.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
the top New Zealand senior wrestling club
in NZ.
Crotty/Alison Howie 2, Carol Creamer/
Helen Creamer 3.
Presidents: N/S: Louise Tapper/Jill Amer
1, Penny Fisher/Richard Luisetti 2,
Wayne Hutchings/Sue McIlroy 3. E/W:
Julie Elliot/Peter Whitehead 1, Lynda
Grierson/Andrea Dempsey 2, Pauline
Miller/Nita Sheasby 3.
Waimakariri Gorge Women’s Golf
9­Hole Match Play: Julie Smith, Jan
Stewart, Barbara Thompson and Jill
Jenkins. 18­Hole Stableford: Janne
Pottinger 39.
Nearest the pin: Janne Pottinger, No 4;
Jill Jenkins, No 8, Janne Pottinger, No 11.
9­Hole Money Hole: Jill Jenkins; 9­Hole
Nett Eagle: Julie Smith, No 1; Longest
Putt: Janne Pottinger. Two: Jill Jenkins.
PROUDLYSUPPORTINGLOCAL SPORT
RANGIORA