Northland sport in brief

Briefly

Blues debut
RUGBY: Had Northland ITM Cup halfback Tane Takulua made his debut for the Blues on Saturday, after being named on the bench, he would have been the first Northlander to make his debut since Cam Goodhue two years ago. Takulua has been called in as cover for the sidelined Piri Weepu and Jamison Gibson-Park.

Records smashed
WEIGHTLIFTING: Junior weightlifter Paige Lawgun has broken 14 national records in the past two months as she continues her press towards Youth Olympics selection later this year. This month Lawgun broke five national records to go with the nine broken last month. Lawgun and fellow Northlanders Taiao Kawiti-Cordtz and Leshego Mpe have been selected to represent New Zealand in May at the Oceania Weightlifting Championships in New Caledonia.

Grading games begin
NETBALL: The Whangarei Netball Centre winter competition starts on April 4 for premier and premier reserve with two weeks of grading play outdoors under lights. Senior, including secondary, and intermediate grades start two weeks of grading on April 5. Juniors start their competition the following week on April 12

Shield squad named
RUGBY: Whangarei have named their squad to contest the 2014 Harding Shield. Contact Mark Seymour 0274 346 533 if you are unavailable. Whangarei: S Davies, T Cullen, M Harrison, E Crutcher, C Eyre, K Pryor, B Dickens, S Kite, T Gilbert, W John, T McDowell, T Murday, J Matiu, B Berridge, AJ Tuhoro, S Lewis, A Miller, S Nesbit, A Nesbit, M Bennett, L Tulua, J Tovuga, L Fosita, V Tahitu'a, J Wendt, S Kumazaki, L Cowan, J Guthrie, B Macken, B Gilmore, D McCully, J Olsen, C Henare, W Stone, D Ormsby, R Griffin, R Wright, T Lloyd, I O'Grady, M Sykes, T Lansdowne, J Brown, J Lawson, B Christensen, I Hauraki, J Kay, C Cherrington.

New date set
BOWLS: A new date has been set for the 1-5 Year Representative Tournament, which was postponed because of Cyclone Lusi two weeks ago. The event has now been rescheduled for Sunday May 25 and will be held at Maungaturoto greens where there are two artificial greens.

Cup name change
RUGBY: The Northland rugby competition that was known as the Taniwha Cup has had a name change. The junior rugby competition will now be known as the Dave Culham Cup. The Northland Rugby Union made the announcement on Wednesday.

Catches for keeper
CRICKET: Northland cricketer Rory Christopherson may not have had many chances with the bat for Northern Districts but he has delivered with the wicket keeping gloves. Christopherson has taken six catches in his first three domestic level one-day games, including two on Wednesday during their loss to Canterbury. If the Knights make the play-offs, Christopherson may make way for Black Caps test keeper BJ Watling.

Year 9 netball reps
NETBALL: The Whangarei Netball Centre has announced its Year 9 representative team for 2014. The team consists of seven Whangarei Girls' High School players, two from Huanui College, and one from Manawanui Collegiate. Whangarei: Asa Morrison, Carly Job, Catherine McClure, Drew Buckton, Kelena Roughan, Raiha Keerako, Ricco Watts-Niha, Saphire Connelly-Parry, Teaghan Kirby, Uma Robinson.

Reader in club finals
BOWLS: Northland's Dusty Reader was successful in the Regional New Zealand Club Championship Singles and will now represent region one in the New Zealand Finals to be held in Dunedin in June.

Marathon open
MARATHON: Entries are now being accepted for the second annual Copthorne Hokianga Half Marathon on April 12. For registration forms, see: www.lionsclubs.org.nz, or Hokianga Health Clinics.