3 Dec 2022

Pukekura strongly climb the table points

Pukekura defeated Stratford with a resounding and unexpected 13-3, unfortunately for Stratford, their top ranked players were not available giving advantage to the solid Pukekura team.  Tomi Avery had to go to great lengths to defeat David White after dropping the first set 2-6 6-3 6-2. David Barnard's youth prevailed over Bruce Cleland's experience to seal a 6-2 6-2 triumph for Pukekura.  Stratford’s Ross Slinger was involved in two wins, the singles against Andrew Moffat 6-4 4-6 6-2 and teamed up with Colleen MacDonald to defeat Ronan Avery and Jenny Van Praagh 9-6.  The only other point for Stratford was taken by the reliable and consistent Nicole Kowalewski, who handily defeated Lili Lay 6-1 6-0. 

Okaiawa made their home venue prevail by defeating Huatoki 13-3.  On a beautiful day in Okaiawa, the locals took advantage of their better adaptation to the surface and the wind.  Hamish Mead, Mark Laurence and Vincent Baylis did not concede a set against Huatoki’s Alistair Nairn, Luis Silva and Josh Wormald.  On the women's side, the talented Jorja Symes and Abby Ross showed amazing performances conceding only one game in their respective singles and then teaming up in doubles.  Two points for Huatoki came in singles after the notable victories of the competitive Shane Douglas over Ricky Clement in straight sets 6-2 6-3 and the consistent Huhana Whautere over McKenna Norris with a 6-4 6-4.  The third point for the visit came after Okaiawa defaulted a women's singles match. 

In Westown, Rotokare had another fantastic day defeating Waiwaka 14-2 to cement the lead in the competition.  The most significant thing about this triumph is that Rotokare had to use players who are not regulars in the Soffe cup competition and even, they managed to come out with a clear prevail.  Notable were the victories of Luke De Villiers, who has demonstrated why he was named the most improved player last season, and Oliver Kerr who has not known defeat this season.  Lucy Atkinson and Becca Smith also lived up to it, defeating Waiwaka’s Kim Carr and Ellie Edgcombe respectively.  Waiwaka's two wins came from the tireless Matt Verry, who overcame Sean Husband 6-4 6-2, and the experienced Trudy Vince who fought back after lost the first set to defeat Tania Atkinson 4-6 6-0 6-2. 

With these results, the points table for the premium tennis’s competition in our region is leaded by Rotokare 84, followed closely by Okaiawa 81, Pukekura staying in classification position with 56, Stratford 37, Huatoki 32 and Waiwaka 31.