The West Coast athletic team won the Mahar cup in convincing style at ANZAC Park on Saturday. Marlborough was runner up and a disappointing Nelson finishing third after the late withdrawal of the bulk of their team. Coast’s thirty athletes produced strong performances in all grades with Westport’s Jodi Wooding, Jordan Pinnock and Rebecca Sollitt scoring highest points tally.

Nelson’s Dale Pritchard won the Mawhera Shield for the most outstanding performance of the meet breaking the 1978 men’s discus record by 3 metres, throwing 46.78m. This also broke the WC all-comers record as did his shot put throw of 14.16m adding 6cm to Keith Barrow’s long standing effort.

Jordan Pinnock’s record breaking form erased Matt Leadley from the books in both the M16 shot and discus throwing 15.18m and 47.96m respectively. Rebecca Sollitt eclipsed the WC and club W16 high jump record reaching 1.57m. Nelson’s Chris Brake won 5 titles. One of NZ most promising high jumpers leapt 1.75m then sprinted 100m in 11.6sec and 200m in 23.9sec despite a strong head wind.

Janelle Van der Westhuisen, Victoria O’Connor and Sollitt were superb each winning 3 titles in a hotly-contested W16 grade, with O’Connor pipping Sollitt in 100m in an exciting race. Wooding, Mandy Bowen and Marlborough’s India Ross fought out the closest finish of the day in the Women’s 400m with Ross and Wooding chasing down Bowen in the last 5 metres. Vet Jack O’Connor rolled back the years winning the 400/800m double.

DJ Kilden, Ra Buchanan, Ryan O’Connor, James Bell, Kalum Martinus, Hayley Bill and Rebecca Sollitt all collected titles.

Marlborough’s young team showed promise collecting 10 titles with India Ross, David Hansen and Tracy Sims leading the challenge. Club president Jack O’Connor was full of praise for the Coast team and the huge volunteer support on the day.



Mahar Cup  Winner: West Coast

McConachie Baton:  Marlborough for  Senior Mens relay

Davis Rose Bowl:  West Coast for Boys 16 relay

McDonnell Cup:  West Coast  for  Most Points m and w 16

Mawhera Shield: Dale Pritchard for  Most Outstanding Athlete