Pete James on top of the podium after winning the Masters 7 national championship. PHOTOS/SUPPLIED
SPORTS ROUNDUP
CHRIS COGDALE
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CYCLING
Masterton cyclist Pete James planned the finish perfectly to be crowned masters 7 [65-69 years] champion at the New Zealand road race championships at Hokitika over the weekend.
James, 66, was well placed at the start of the second lap of the 65km race and was part of a group of five riders who attacked over some small climbs.
He said one of the riders was keen to do most of the work, so he sat in the bunch, biding his time.
Approaching the finish, James knew who to follow and was in a good position. He attacked with about 150m to go and held on to win in a time of one hour, 58 minutes, and 18 seconds, the same time as the second and third place-getters.
James said the win had been a long time coming, but it was worth it for all the hard training over the years.
MUAY THAI
Masterton’s Sinead Namana made a victorious return to the ring on Friday night after a two-year layoff.
The Fortitude Gym fighter fought Megan Barlow from Alpha Muay Thai at the Rumble Fight Night in Lower Hutt won an unanimous points decision victory after three uncompromising rounds.
Coach Zane Hopman said Namana landed some heavy rights early in the first round to Barlow’s head. She used all her striking options with her kicks to keep her opponent guessing and on the back foot.
Hopman said Namana’s punching power and fierce pace were too much for her opponent, although Barlow showed great heart and conditioning to finish the fight and take the decision to the judges.
FOOTBALL
Carterton lead the Wairarapa local league division one after beating previously unbeaten Douglas Villa Skulls 3-2 on Saturday.
Tremain’s Greytown thumped Property Brokers Featherston 6-1, and Douglas Villa Fall Protect were too good for Masterton Ziggy’s Glass Presidents, winning 4-0.
In division two, Masterton McAuley’s retained their perfect record with a 5-1 win over Evergreens, Masterton Lions had a 3-0 triumph over The Offering Greytown, Martinborough demolished Carterton 15-2, and Property Brokers Greytown thumped Carterton Reapers 7-1.
HOCKEY
Defending champions Gladstone Bulls started the Wairarapa men’s championship with a resounding 8-3 defeat of Dalefield Dodgers. Featherston edged JNL 2-1, and Kia Kaha had a 3-0 win over Tremain’s Red Star.
Gladstone Gold were the big winners in women’s division one, beating Featherston 7-1, and Kia Kaha and Tremain’s Red Star fought out a thrilling 5-5 draw.
In women’s division two, Martinborough upset Coasties 2-0, Tumu ITM defeated Gladstone Grenades 4-2, Eketahuna Tuis trounced Wairarapa Mitsubishi 9-2, and the Foxies won the Featherston derby over the Force 3-1.
