Athletics

Open Women 5000m Final

Runners weren’t easing back into local sport after the lockdown, with Isobel Batt-Doyle breaking the state 5000m record last Wednesday night in a time of 15:26.48. It is a second quicker than previous record holder Donna Gould (15:27.3, mixed) and just under two seconds quicker than Lisa Martin (15:28.16, women’s only).

Open Men 5000m Final

In the men’s, it was a tight affair between the top three, as under four seconds separated first from third over 5000m. Matthew Clarke displayed a strong performance taking out the win in a time of 13:52.86. Second-placed Isaac Heyne was close at 13:54.13, while Adrian Potter was just behind Heyne at 13:56.06.

Gridiron

2020 Gridiron SA Senior Mens

The Port Adelaide Spartans stepped up when it mattered, displaying a dominant performance in Saturday’s Semi-final against the South City Chiefs, winning 50-6. The Spartans grabbed the first touchdown of the day and never looked back, leading the game from every point onwards.

The Port Adelaide Spartans will now attempt to take their great form into this Saturday’s Grand Final against the Adelaide University Hogs. The game, dubbed the “Great Southern Bowl 2020”, will kick off at Riverside Oval at 12pm.

Rowing

2020 Riverland Regatta & 2^nd Grade State Championships

It was a massive weekend of rowing in South Australia, with the Riverland Regatta and second Grade State Champions in Berri running more than 150 individual races. The regatta had many impressive performances, yet one of the biggest came from the Wilderness School 1 in the Second Grade Women’s Single Scull, blowing away the competition and finishing quicker than second place by 46.85 seconds in a time of 9:48.00.

Lacrosse

SAILL

The break did not hinder the Bombers as they took out a close 12-9 win in round five against the Sea Devils. The Sea Devils started the better of the two teams, taking a two-goal lead at the half. Yet the Bombers came out firing after the half, displaying a six-goal bombardment in the last term.

The Bombers now sit equal on points with the Raptors, who are both on 16, filling out first and second on the ladder, respectively. The result sees the Sea Devils having only one win to their name but will look to change their fortune as they take on the Raptors this Friday, 9:15 pm at the Blackwood Recreation Centre.

Basketball

International

Australia’s hopes of grabbing gold at the Tokyo Olympics next year has been boosted after Aussie star Ben Simmons confirmed his desire to finally play for the Boomers. The two-time NBA all-star and 2018 rookie of the year— who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers—will bolster a stacked Australian selection group which has up to ten Aussies currently in the NBA.

The Boomers will be without veteran Andrew Bogut for the tournament, as he recently announced his retirement.

Local codes back their own

The lawn bowls and rugby community have rallied together to support their own.

Lawn Bowls beloved Gary Thompson was involved in a major motorbike accident, putting him in hospital. Thompson was rushed to the Royal Adelaide Hospital immediately after the crash, for life-saving surgery. The self-employed greenkeeper will be unable to work as he goes through the recovery period. The Modbury Bowling have been calling upon members of the community to donate, setting up a GoFundMe page to financially support Thompson. So far, $6,381 has been raised of the $50,000 goal, since the creation of the fundraiser, last Thursday.

Rugby’s own Damian Bruce was involved in an horrific accident in his home. Bruce will be out of work for a while whilst he recovers from his injuries. Generous donors, friends, family and the South Australian rugby community have rallied together, raising $24,960 through a GoFundMe page, surpassing the $20,000 goal organisers were asking for. The fundraiser—as of writing this—has gained 180 donors amongst the tight knit community, who are looking out for him and his family.