Sport

IT has been a rough start to Grampians’ 2021-22 Hamilton and District Cricket Association A grade campaign, as the Pumas languish in second last position.

MELISSA Tapper has created history, winning her first Paralympic medal in Tokyo after Australia claimed the women’s team class 9-10 silver medal on Friday morning.

IT has been a far more positive Hamilton and District Cricket Association A grade season for College this time around, highlighted by the Eagles’ T20 final victory against St Andrew’s last month.

THERE was plenty of excitement on offer at Hamilton’s Western Speedway last Wednesday night with the Formula 500’s and Super Sedans entertaining a large crowd. Hamilton’s Brock Atkins took out his first feature win in the V21 machine, leading Jamie Collins and Dave McKenzie to the podium in the 20-lap final of the Victorian Super Sedan Series round.

IT hasn’t been the ideal start to the year for Casterton District which has managed just the one win in the first half of the season, but all hope is not lost.

COUNTRY Week cricket action starts on Monday as the best players from the Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) battle it out against other competitions in Horsham and Warrnambool. The Under-17 team, coached by Robbie Cook will face Wimmera Mallee at Dennington in Warrnambool for the first match of the week hoping to start their campaign with a win. Captain, Henry Bensch will be hoping the side can string together some strong performances to set them up to go deep into finals, which will be held on Thursday and Friday. Tyler Ellis is vice-captain and capable of scoring big on any given day, he will play a crucial role at the top of the order throughout the week. The Under-15 Hurricanes are coached by Lachie Watt and are fortunate enough to play their first match at Melville Oval against Portland and District Cricket Association before they travel up to Horsham for the remainder of the week. Captain, Harry Austin played country week last year and will hope to have an impact with both bat and ball for the Hurricanes. Eddie McShane is the vice-captain for the side, he is known to punish the bad balls and accumulate runs quickly, look for him to have a big week. The three Under-13 sides will play the following week when they head down to Portland to play three days of cricket from January 10-12. HDCA Under-14, Under-16 and Under-18 female teams have been selected and will battle it out in Hamilton from January 19-21. Visit the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association on MyCricket to see the draws for Under-17 and Under-15 teams.

FORMER Cavendish local, Emma Kearney is going into her fifth season at the helm of North Melbourne’s AFL Women’s (AFLW) team, but her determination to lead her team to a premiership has not wavered.

INDIGENOUS Australian, Scott Boland has etched his name into the Ashes history books after ripping through England’s batting order in the second innings to finish with incredible figures of 6-7 and receive the Mullagh Medal on debut.

WESTERN Speedway has an action-packed program planned for next Wednesday night with around forty Formula 500’s set to battle in round three of their annual Speedweek Series.   

HAMILTON trio, Paige Kissel, Jedah Huf and Jess Rentsch received some great news earlier in the week when they found out they had been selected in the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels Under-19 Girls squad to compete in the 2022 NAB League Girls season.

LOCAL duo, Zoe Addinsall and Matilda Mason have reached the pinnacle in their tetrathlon and show jumping endeavours as they were both awarded on the national stage in separate events at the Pony Club Australia (PCA) nationals.

THE Hamilton Gymnastics Club ran an in-house competition last Sunday for girls in level one and level two categories, to make up for the significant number of competitions they have missed due to COVID-19.