Manaia stalking the leaders in
Soffe Cup Competition
Sandfords
Manaia had their easiest match this
season when over-powering Okaiawa 16-0.
The victory moved Manaia to 41 points, second equal place on the
Soffe Cup table to Rotokare, who have yet to have their bye.
Manaia No.1 Thomas Luxton overcame a strong challenge from Andrew Powell
before winning 7-5 6-3. There were easy victories for the remaining
men, Jason Mills, Alaister Murdoch and Michael Gates. Manaia's top two
ladies, Nicole Koch and Alesha Ford also had easy victories over Joanne
and Megan Gyde respectively. Ashlee Murdoch had a slighly tougher match
against Beth McLeod, winning 7-5 6-2, as did Ginny Death when winning
against Clare Goldsworthy 6-3 7-5.
Both men's doubles went to Manaia
without difficulty, Luxton/Mills winning 6-3 6-1, Murdoch/Gates winning
6-1 6-1. The women's doubles matches were closer; Koch/Murdoch winning
7-5 6-1, and Ford/Death winning 6-3 6-4. Okaiawa were unlucky not to
pick up the top combined match, Andrew Powell and Beth McLeod losing to
Thomas Luxton and Nicole Koch 9-8.
A full strength Rotokare lineup proved
to be too strong for fellow New Plymouth club, Waiwaka. Men's No.1
Chris Popata, after winning the first set to love over Stuart Wood, then
lost the second set 6-3 and had to take the match by winning the super
tiebreak decider. The super tiebreak is played first to 10 points with
an advantage of 2 points. No.4 Kevin McLoughlin also needed to work to
win his singles match against David Chamberlain. McLoughlin won the
first set 6-4; Chamberlain took the second set 7-6, before McLoughlin
prevailed in the super tiebreak decider. Mark Atkins and Greg Hareb had
comfortable wins over David Geange and Rhys Sutton.
Nicki Martin showed grit and experience
in picking up the only singles win for Waiwaka, defeating Val McLoughlin
7-6 7-6.
Going into the doubles matches with a
7-1 lead, Rotokare easily won both men's doubles and the top ladies
doubles. Nicki Martin and Yvonne Chamberlain had an easy wictory for
Waiwaka over Emmah Ussher and Beccie Atkins, 6-3 6-0. The combined
doubles were shared; Popata/McLoughlin winning the top match 9-8 for
Rotokare over Wood/Martin . Mark and Leith Atkins winning over David
Geange/Jayden Bruce 9-6, also for Rotokare. Waiwaka fought back to take
the remaining two combined matches to give a final result of 12-4 to
Rotokare
In the other match, Pukekura and
Huatoki had an 8-8 draw. Stratford/Midhirst had the bye.