Sports News Sunraysia with Sammy Smythe

                                                                          By home Stright 

Five of the top male harness drivers and five of the top female drivers will take part in the annual Driver’s Challenge at the next Mildura Harness Racing Club meeting at Mildura on Saturday October 3.

Club Secretary-Manager Mark Kemp said that in the past the Drivers challenge meeting had been programmed in February but a number of drivers said that the timing of the meeting was in the hot weather and when they had to get back to Melbourne to drive the next night, the weather had made the trek to Mildura exhausting.

Mr Kemp said the Club had picked a new date in October 3 and while it clashed with the AFL Grand Final, the drivers were keen to participate.

The male reinsman who have agreed to drive in four races on the program that night are Gavin Lang, Michael Bellman and Chris Alford of Victoria, along with Mark Billinger of South Australia and Anthony Butt of New Zealand, who is now based in Victoria.

His daughter Kimberley Butt, who is still based in New Zealand, will make the trek to Mildura to drive as part of the female contingent.

The 21 year old drove her first winner two years ago in New Zealand.  Earlier this year she drove a winner for her  23 year old brother Chris,  giving him his first success  as a harness trainer.

The others are Kerryn Manning, Jodi Quinlan, Lisa Miles and Leah Harvey of South Australia.

The meeting on August 3 is being sponsored by the Mildura Workingman’s Club with free admission to all members.

Mr Kemp said that to promote the night all ladies would also be admitted free.

                                                                                       By First Slip

Leek and Stafforrdshire wicket-keeper batsman Alex Mellor, who spent two summers playing cricket in Sunraysia has signed a one year deal with county club Warwickshire.

The 24-year-old has featured for the Bears' second team this season and has impressed enough to be handed a professional contract.

"I have had a fantastic welcome from the coaching team and players since joining the Bears and I'm very excited to be joining such a great club," he said.

"The current season is coming to a close, but I can't wait to get started again in November and hopefully developing my game further.

"I have received great support in reaching this point in my career, in signing my first professional contract, I would like to thank my family for all the support they have given me over the years."

Mellor's stock has risen since he burst on to the Unicorns Championship scene with Staffordshire last summer.

He scored 459 runs in all competitions for Staffs last season, including a maiden hundred when he made 111 against Hertfordshire at Knypersley.

And he had continued to impress this season, making an unbeaten 208 in the victory over Suffolk at Longton in July.

It was only the seventh time in the county's history a player had managed to score a double hundred.

Mellor has also been handed the gloves at minor counties level following the retirement of former skipper Paul Goodwin at end of last  season.

Mellor has also been handed the gloves at minor counties level following the retirement of former skipper Paul Goodwin at the end of last season.

He also claimed a new county record of 11 dismissals in this seasons match against Suffolk.

The left hander has been trialing at several first class counties in recent times but has now been handed his chance with Warwickshire.

He will provide competition for Warwickshire’s former English wicketkeeper/batsman Tim Ambrose.

Warwickshire director of cricket Dougie Brown said that Mellor has impressed with bat and gloves during his time with the second team.

“We hope  he can develop into a top class keeper/batsman by working closely with our coaching team at Edgbaston.

In two seasons of cricket in Sunraysia playing for Coomealla Wentworth Mellor scored 1058 runs with a batting average of 44 runs.