HOT, HOT, HOT FOR CASTERTON STREET DRAGS – December 6

MORE than 500 spectators lined the Sandford Flat last month as the Casterton Street Drags had its second meet of the season.

In typical drags weather, the temperature rose and so did the excitement as 106 drivers and riders tested their mettle on Victoria’s only legal drag racing event to be held on a public road.

In the Elites, Hamilton’s Matt Addinsall took the judges’ fancy, ahead of Purnim’s Christopher Haebich and Casterton’s own Patrick Smith.

CHINA CALLING – December 9

LOCAL showjumper, Charlie Hiscock, is plying his trade in China, as one of four selected to represent Pony Club Australia as the lone Victorian.

Hiscock was among 80 applicants for the program, including his brother, Finley, joining Amarlie New  (Queensland), Isabelle Cox (Western Australia) and Zac Boland (New South Wales), with the group flying to China on Wednesday night along with team coach/manager, Carol Hobson, and Ray Oliver, for what will be an exciting two weeks.

PRO DEBUT – December 13

HAMILTON’S Katie Riddle will step in the ring as a professional boxer for the first time on Saturday night when she takes on current Australian champion, Jemma Peart, on the Gold Coast.

The professional debut will cap off an incredibly successful year for the 31-year-old which included an international debut in Singapore and a win at the Australian Titles.

LOCAL ROWING SUCCESS AT HOME REGATTA – December 13

WITH cricket and speedway abandoned due to the rain, rowers took to Lake Hamilton for the Hamilton/Nestles Rowing Regatta on Saturday.

Both Hamilton Rowing Club and The Hamilton and Alexandra College (THAC) had representation, along with clubs from as far away as Melbourne and Shepparton.

Local success was also spread across the day, with both clubs having winners.

DEE-STROYED – December 16

MACARTHUR continued its stunning short-format form, defeating Casterton District in the Hamilton and District Cricket Association T20 final at Kennedy Oval on Thursday.

It was the second straight year the Demons played the final and won the toss both times, taking a different approach this time around.

They won the toss and batted first, with the first ball of the innings called a wide in a somewhat anti-climactic moment from Maroons’ Logan Gibbs.

BUNKER SHOTS – December 16

SATURDAY was the final for the Monthly Medal winners, playing off in a stroke event for the medal of medallists at Hamilton Golf Club.

The finalists were John Hill, Noel Jennings, Kedar Giles, Kynan Caruana, Glenn Hards, Shane Ryan, Jason Chandler, George McLean (two medal wins), Paul Ryan and Michael Holcombe.

Unfortunately, Noel Jennings and Kynan Caruana were away, which left a field of nine players contesting the final.

PAUL Ryan won the Medal of Medallists event on Saturday. Photo: SUPPLIED.

JAPANESE KARATE TRIP – December 16

FOUR representatives from Hamilton Karate WSKF (World Shotokan Karate-do Federation) had the experience of a lifetime when they travelled to Tokyo last month for a week of focussed training under world-renowned senseis.

Steph Praolini, Marianna Novicov, Beth Granziera and Matthew Pickett enjoyed the weekly seminar which runs every two years and gained plenty of valuable knowledge, with Praolini receiving her 3rd Dan Black Belt.

LOCAL TRIO SELECTED – December 16

SOUTH West netball trio, Saskia Gould (Hamilton Kangaroos), Imogen Thomas (Cavendish) and Misha Wear (Penshurst) were recently rewarded with selection into the 2024 Netball Victoria Talent Academy for the Western Region.

The opportunity will see the girls train under some of the best coaches in the state throughout next year and get the opportunity to compete in the inter academy tournament.

FLYING HIGH – December 20

AFTER multiple Western Victoria Female Football League best and fairests, a broken leg and thousands of kilometres of travel, Penshurst’s Jess Rentsch is set for the big time after the midfielder was drafted by the West Coast Eagles with pick two in Monday night’s AFLW Draft.

The 18-year-old was tipped to go early in the draft after the Greater Western Victoria Rebels co-captain had a  standout year off the back of a broken leg, with family connections set to make the move west a little easier for the former Good Shepherd College student.

JESS Rentsch is presented her West Coast Eagles guernsey from the Eagles’ AFLW coach, Daisy Pearce. Photo: DYLAN BURNS/AFL PHOTOS.