THE PRESS, Christchurch Saturday, July 12, 2014 WEEKENDSPORT D3 CRICKET NETBALL SPORTS Bracewell BRIEFS Solid start in NZ team ❯❯❯❯ Lydia Ko gave herself a pass mark Clarke a for her opening round effort at the Women’s British Open, but lamented for tour a disappointing finish because scoring is likely to get tougher. Ko shot an even-par 72 at the tight of England Royal Birkdale links course yesterday. She was in a tie for 10th, Sarah Harvey big loss four shots behind Japanese leader ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● Ayako Uehara. The 17-year-old world Pace bowler Doug Bracewell has No 2 flirted with the top of the been thrown a lifeline by New Zea- leaderboard early in her round and land Cricket after previously being through six holes was two under par. shunned for off-field indiscretions She dropped shots on the seventh Bracewell has been named in and 10th to get back to even, had the New Zealand A team to tour for Tactix another birdie on 16 before finishing England as a replacement for the her round with a dropped shot on the injured Adam Milne. Brendon Egan team’s plans for next season. final hole, the par-five 18th. [email protected] Milne will need surgery on an ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● The Tactix were in a difficult elbow and is expected to be out for position not knowing whether Kiwis struggle six weeks. The Tactix have been rocked by they would be awarded an extra Both Bracewell and Jesse Ryder the loss of influential midcourter import by TTNL. ❯❯❯❯ Kiwi golfers Danny Lee and Tim found themselves on the outer of Jade Clarke for next year’s trans- Clarke’s addition will further Wilkinson are well off the pace after New Zealand Cricket’s calcul- Tasman netball league. strengthen a talented Swifts side, yesterday’s opening round of the ations after they were found to The Press understands the Eng- who have snapped up Australian $5.3m John Deere Classic at the TPC have been out drinking in Auck- lish international has signed for defender Julie Corletto. Deere Run course in Silvis, Illinois. land until 3am on the eve of the the Sydney-based New South The Tactix have already filled Lee, after an early birdie on the first test against India, in Febru- Wales Swifts. one import spot for next year – re- second, carded bogeys on six, nine ary. Both were subsequently fined Clarke’s departure was softened signing Malawi goal shoot Mwai and 18 to finish with a two-over par by NZC and ruled out of the second slightly yesterday by confirmation Kumwenda, who had a fine rookie 73. Wilkinson had an up and down test. Bracewell also broke a bone the Tactix will again be allowed campaign, landing the highest day. He also picked up a birdie on the in a foot during the incident. two imports for next year. The number of goals in the competition second and another on the par five Since then both, not for the first franchise had been granted an during the regular season (540 at 91 17th, but ruined his chances of a low time, have been in the New Zea- extra import player for the past per cent). round with a costly double bogey six land cricketing wilderness. three years because of the difficult- They may consider targeting an on the ninth and bogeys on 12, 16 and Ryder has made use of his time ies they have in recruiting players international defender, who can 18. He finished with a three-over 74. playing for Essex, while Bracewell to Christchurch following the 2011 offer height and experience with Lee is tied for 120th, with Wilkinson in has been training hard and earthquake. their second import slot. a tie for 138th. attempting to get back in the Trans-Tasman netball league This season, the Tactix selectors’ good books. (TTNL) general manager Andy struggled defensively conceding Mac attack New Zealand Cricket selector Crook said it was important to sup- an alarming 871 goals from 13 Bruce Edgar said Bracewell had port the Tactix as they continue to games (67 per game). ❯❯❯❯ "ticked every box asked of him rebuild, however, they will be The Press understands the Rory McIlroy made light work of the during NZC’s winter camps in Lin- closely monitoring their progress. Tactix have re-signed midcourters windy conditions to fire a course coln, and that progress and evalu- He believed it was in the best Hayley Saunders, Nicola Mackle record seven-under 64 in the ation reports had been positive". interest of the league to have 10 and defender Zoe Walker for next opening round of the Scottish Open "Doug has been working very competitive sides. season. Midcourter Keshia Grant at Royal Aberdeen yesterday. hard on and off the field to restore Clarke’s loss is a massive blow is also close to re-signing for a Sweden’s Kristoffer Broberg his relationship with the selectors, for the Tactix, who have battled to fourth season with the team. established a new mark of 65 earlier and his change of attitude has been retain key players in recent Kumwenda, skipper Anna but it lasted only two hours as former noted," Edgar said. "He seasons. Thompson, Jessica Moulds and world No 1 McIlroy carded eight understands the trust that has The 30-year-old, who will cap- Northern Mystics recruit Bailey birdies and one bogey. been placed in him, and is tain England at the Common- Mes are confirmed Tactix players delighted to have a chance to show wealth Games later this month, for 2015. Aussie off he has learnt from his mistakes." was one of the most consistent Meanwhile, Southern Steel yes- Bracewell, 23, has played 18 centres in this year’s trans- terday announced captain and Sil- ❯❯❯❯ The Northern Mystics have tests, his most memorable at Tasman league. ver Fern shooter Jodi Brown predictably lost the services of Hobart in 2011 when a nine-wicket Clarke wanted clarity over her would not be returning. On the move: England captain Jade Clarke is not returning for a third season with the Tactix next year. Australian netball international Julie haul helped steer New Zealand to a playing future before the Games Steel chief executive Sue Clarke Photo: IAIN McGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ Corletto. Corletto is returning across seven-run win over Australia. started. said the decision to not renew the Tasman, signing with the New New Zealand A play their first Last month, she told The Press Brown’s contract was a reflection The Steel were eager to hold attack next season. Selby-Rickit promised a starting role. South Wales Swifts for next year’s one-dayer against Northhampton- she had yet to hear from the Tactix of a new direction for the fran- onto young shooter Te Paea Selby- would likely have left for another The Central Pulse loom as a ANZ championship. The 27-year-old shire on July 31. about whether she was in the chise. Rickit, who should start at goal franchise had she not been possible destination for Brown. has spent the last two seasons with the Auckland-based Mystics but her place was always in jeopardy when RUGBY RUGBY LEAGUE her basketball-playing husband Darryl Corletto was axed by the New Zealand Breakers. McIlroy twins Zac packs pounds Matulino boost for Warriors ❯❯❯❯ Zac Guildford admits he’s got a bit of weight to lose as launches the next Sarah Harvey phase of his troubled rugby career in ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● France. The former All Blacks wing determined to If Warriors forward Ben Matulino has joined his new club Clermont and has been firing on half a cylinder, admits he’s a bit out of shape after a imagine what he could do when he frustrating Super Rugby season with is fully fit. the Crusaders, where he sat on the regain shield Matulino, who hasn’t played sidelines. ‘‘To be honest I’ve got a bit since June 7 and after injuring of work to do to lose a few pounds himself at the start of May has and get a bit sharper,’’ the 25-year- Mat Kermeen been missing two days of training old who played 10 tests for the All [email protected] AT A GLANCE ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● a week, has also been one of the Blacks and was a World Cup winner in form forwards of the competition. 2011, told French site Rugbyrama. Twelve months ago Blair McIlroy North Canterbury: Sam Such is his expected impact on received an early morning Westenra, Josh Harrison, Michael an already firing Warriors team, Leading pair ‘‘debrief’’ phone call from Elles- Keane, Brett Hancox, Tim coach Andrew McFadden is set to mere captain and twin Scott on the Loughnan, Sean Thompson, Will bring him back at the earliest ❯❯❯❯ New Zealand yachting stars Jo loss of the Southbridge Shield. Baird, Brian Anderson, Matthew opportunity against the Eels at Mt Aleh and Polly Powrie have opened Blair was in England on a two- King, Stew Dalzell, Simione Smart Stadium this evening. the defence of their women’s 470 year stint playing rugby and was Turaga, Dave Kenny, Pete Matulino will add impetus to a Ready for action: European championship with a fleet- ‘‘absolutely gutted’’ when he heard Manahi, Jade Britain, Hamish Warriors team on the charge after Warriors’ forward leading effort on the opening day in a 79th minute penalty goal from Black. Reserves: Cale Dobby/Ben six wins from eight games. They Ben Matulino will Athens. A fifth and a third were good North Canterbury first-five Sean Frame, Luka Paniamina Tootoo, face an Eels team that sits on the add impact off enough to leave the world champions Thompson had ended Ellesmere’s James Haigh, Matt Kippenberger, same number of competition the bench at the top of the table yesterday.