Allenton Bowling Club
The Allenton lady players have had another busy and successful week with the Canterbury interclub final rounds of the fives and 2x4 playing on Saturday and the previous Wednesday.
Results were pleasing with our Div. one fives team ending in second place, a good effort at that level. Div. 3 won their grade and the Div 5 team of mainly junior players ended up a creditable fifth.
The 2x4 players came second to the strong Elmwood team. Also, the Sevens team has Qualified to Post section next Sunday. Very well-done ladies.
Celebration time, twenty-two girls are off on the bus on Tuesday for their Christmas lunch, do you feel sorry for Bernie our driver?
The open Championship games are very close to completion, some very close and interesting results. There are only three teams in the Hefford shield this year, maybe a sign of the times.
The Classic Fives which were to be early January have been cancelled through lack of entries. The men are well through their Championship matches, most evenings there are some good matches being played.
Friday triples this week the 16th is at Allenton the last one for this year, we start the Tuesday evening Pairs on the 10th January 5.30pm and more entries would be welcome, contact Faye.
Ashburton Golf Club
A weekend of firsts down at the Brandon. We had the Christmas salvers sponsored by Radius Care and the first round of the Property Brokers shootout qualifying.
Leading the way in both was the lovely new comer Laura Doody. Laura shot a superb 43 points, picked up the Ladies Salver and tops the Shootout leaderboard. I believe that was Laura’s first time playing for a trophy, and to get her name on one, first time out, is a great achievement, especially after her partner James Mc told her how difficult it was to win one.
James has been a member for around 5 years now and still, his name does not adorn any trophies. Well done Laura.
Leading the way in the Men’s salver was Bruce Day, who for the first time ever managed to shoot his age. Top effort Bruce, a superb gross round of 75 saw him pick up 42 points. This sits him in second place on the Property Brokers Shootout board and with Bruce being the only double winner of this, he has put everyone else on notice.
Anyway if you bump into President Day around the club, make sure you congratulate him on his great round. Other good scores from Saturday were Rob Coyle on 41, Dave Hampton 40, Kevin McStay 39 then Paul Greer, Hoppy, Ollie Davo and Paul Baird all with 38 points.
This Saturday we have round 2 of the Property Brokers Shootout qualifying and the start of the summer stableford. Don’t forget you need two good scores to get in the top 19 for the shootout, and luckily we have five more rounds to go.
We will have organised golf on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. I am not sure around the pro shop or bar opening times, you will need to check the website for that, but we will have starters and someone to do results.
We already have around 50 players entered in the qualifying, pop along yourself and give it a go.
The final, really is one of the best days at the club, full of excitement, laughter and despair. One thing you do need to note, is that by entering, you have, in fact, agreed. That if you do get into the final, you have opened yourself up to the dreaded Final Runners Guide and the pressure of hitting off the first tee with a big crowd watching you with at least 18 other players wanting you to miss it or put it over the hedge.
Why wouldn’t you want to be in it? If you can hold your nerve and keep your head when others around you lose theirs, then you too can win a free club sub for next year, thanks to Hamish, Karen and the gang, then etch your name, forever among the Brandon legends.
See you down at the club this weekend. Good golfing.

Celtic Squash Club
The Celtic Squash Club has celebrated a very good 2022, a year in which the Keenans Road club has gone from strength to strength.
Superb work from club members has seen completed renovations to the kitchen and bar area, installation of court cameras and large TVs in the social room, certainly game-changers for the club going forward and especially for the annual tournament.
Taking up Squash NZ’s offer, the club invested in a Racketball set which has been a great benefit, importantly seeing new players on court and at the clubrooms.
Seeing this spring league up and in action was brilliant, and to top it off, the club was awarded with the Initiative of the Year Award from Squash Midlands. There have been new sponsors jump on board this year, which is great, and new members sign up, which is even better.
The feedback from week one has been how inclusive the club is, always making new faces feel welcome and creating a great atmosphere for folks to stay and mingle with each other.
2022 saw the start of junior coaching sessions, held by long-time club stalwart John McDonnell.
Through word-of-mouth contact from our current members, many children have taken advantage of this chance, and are enthusiastic to carry on.
Hopefully in 2023 this will include a monthly ‘hit night’ amongst them, with parents getting in amongst it all to help.
To wrap up squash for the year, for the last week of spring league members dressed in Christmas attire, and Team Kirsty Clay Property Brokers won the spring league shield, while Mastercraft Kitchen & Joinery took home the “toilet seat” at the opposite end of the competition.
The club thanks all our sponsors, players and supporters for their commitment to the continued development of all things squash, and wish all a Merry Christmas and look forward to another exciting year in 2023.
Hinds Women’s Institute
Hinds Women’s Institute finished the year with an amazing array of tempting finger-food Christmas fare, brought by members, to celebrate the festive season.
President Valmai welcomed members to Jo Wilson’s home where the luncheon was held and also led the singing of the WI Grace. Members were thanked for contributing gifts which will be placed under the tree at Heartland Bank and a reminder was made of our 25th January 2023 Meals on Wheels commitment.
Following the celebratory meal a time of fellowship was enjoyed before everyone departed for home or shopping. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and may 2023 be kind to us all.
Tinwald Garden Club
December 2022:
Thirty-two members gathered at the home of Karen Young for the final meeting of the year.
They chatted and caught up over a very tempting morning tea.
After exchanging garden themed gifts and drawing the raffle members then strolled through Karen’s rural garden enjoying the variety of trees, shrubs and perennials, many in full bloom.
Our next meeting, a picnic in the Domain, will be on 26 January. For more information phone Pam Tait 027 4355 373.

Sports results

Shooting
Ashburton District Rifle Club
11 December at The Butts. Second Club Champs, at 300, 500 and 600 yards.
TR, John Snowden 49.2, 50.4, 49.6, 148.12, Martin Fleming 50.6, 48.4, 49.5, 147.15, John Miller 47.1, 48.3, 48.2, 143.6, Kevin Hooper 48.5, 48.3, 45.0, 141.8, John Fleming 46.0, 48.3, 42.0, 136.3, Megan Snowden 41.3, 48.2, 45.3, 134.8.
FTR, Murray Cook 60.6, 60.7, 55.3, 175.16, Mike Chui 60.6, 59.7, 59.5, 178.18.
FTR, Brian Graystone 51.1, 56.5, 55.2, 162.8, Mark Alexander 52.0, 54.1, 56.2, 162.3, Coby Snowden 51.2, 57.4, 49.1, 157.7.
FPR, Jarrod Lawson 60.4, 59.5, 57.1, 176.10, Darral Bradley 55.2, 58.2, 54.0, 167.4, David Smith 53.2, 59.5, 52.2, 168.9, Bob McDonald 54.1, 58.6, 50.1, 162.8.