BUBNER AND MATTINGLY STAKE THEIR CLAIMS
Exciting youngster Alexander Bubner threw his name into the mix as a genuine contender for the 2007 Coopers Bay Sheffield by taking out the Plympton Gift last weekend. Bubner’s first appearance with the SA Athletic League this season was highly impressive, flying home off the backmark to comprehensively defeat his training partner Jake Jervis-Bardy and surprise packet Lyall Weir. Despite having to cope with many interstate invaders on December 28 at Colley Reserve, all three placegetters should fancy their chances in this state’s richest and most famous footrace, with Plympton having provento be a strong form guide throughout the years.
Lynette Mattingly will be looking forward to adding another chapter to her unique Bay Sheffield story after claiming the Plympton Women’s Gift sash. A winner of the Bay Sheffield Women’s Gift in 1998, her sister also won the prestigious race in 2004 and the siblings are the only sisters to have completed this feat. Lauren Foote was close up behind Mattingly at Plympton and will have high hopes in a couple of weeks time, while Mt Gambier winner and Plympton Women’s Gift finalist Abbey Dunn will appreciate getting her winning handicap mark due to the Bay Sheffield handicap penalty free month of December.
Other Plympton resultsare sure to be great pointers for other 2007 Bay Sheffield Carnival races, with Dylan Hicks stamping himself as a standout 70m Open performer, Port Augusta resident Casey Whitaker dominating the 70m Under 20 sprint, Brian Golden continuing his magnificent season in the 400m Open, Lucy Buckley collecting her second sash for her career in the 400m Women’s final, youngster Thomas Knight wiping out his novice status over the mile and Craig Trewartha making his first appearance on the dais a winning one in the 400m Over 35s race. The 1000m races saw some terrific performances, with Peter Hyde (1000m A), Bryce Watkins (1000m B) and Emily Hyde (1000m Women) all doing their Bay Sheffield chances no harm with confidence-boasting victories.
RESULTS
120m Open Plympton Gift
1st – Alexander Bubner (6.25m)
2nd – Jake Jervis-Bardy (7.0m)
3rd – Lyall Weir (7.0m)
Time: 12.35secs
120m Women’s Gift
1st – Lynette Mattingly (8.75m)
2nd – Lauren Foote (7.5m)
3rd – Kim Letton (17.25m)
Time: 13.79secs
70m Open
1st – Dylan Hicks (5.75m)
2nd – Lyall Weir (4.75m)
3rd – Shaun Ryder (7.75m)
Time: 7.45secs
70m Under 20s
1st – Casey Whitaker (4.5m)
2nd – Matthew Jose (5.5m)
3rd – Oliver Preston (7.5m)
Time: 7.80secs
400m Open
1st – Brian Golden (26m)
2nd – Mark Beveridge (43m)
3rd – Geoff Troiano (59m)
Time: 47.57secs
400m Women
1st – Lucy Buckley (54m)
2nd – Holly Noack (18m)
3rd – Melanie Budreika (40m)
Time: 56.62secs
400m Over 35s
1st – Craig Trewartha (77m)
2nd – Richard McMahon (35m)
3rd – Ali Saliu (40m)
Time: 51.64secs
1000m Open “A”
1st – Peter Hyde (60m)
2nd – Matthew Ferber (62m)
3rd – Ryan Hage (54m)
Time: 2mins 25.76secs
1000m Open “B”
1st – Bryce Watkins (48m)
2nd – Matthew Fenech (56m)
3rd – Christopher Ross (64m)
Time: 2mins 30.52secs
1000m Women
1st – Emily Hyde (50m)
2nd – Celeste Knowles (110m)
3rd – Courtney Evans (45m)
Time: 2mins 48.96secs
1600m Novice
1st – Thomas Knight (145m)
2nd – Oliver Preston (140m)
3rd – Scott Liersch (145m)
Time: 4mins 20.93secs