14 November 2007

In Soffe Cup tennis, Hareb Deken Oakura should make it two wins in a row when they play McDonald Real Estate Matapu at home tomorrow.  Both team are newcomers to Soffe Cup this season and Oakura are already in the top four.
In the top men's matches, Oakura's Aaron Hine will play Tom Luxton and Josh Walden will play David White. Oakura should win both those.
Oakura are favoured in the top two women's matches with Leah Fletcher and Becky Bruckner playing Jen White and Helen Kelly. The Oakura pair have not lost many matches.

The Hooker Pacific Pukekura and AWE Huatoki match at Pukekura will be the closest of the round.  Pukekura haven't been tested this season and are only one point off the lead.  Last week Huatoki was without Saori Han, Janice Taylor and Chris Wilson but were able to bring in Lucy Barlow and Robyn Hinton for their first games of the season.  Barlow, their top player from last season, plays Caro Bowl for Royal Oak in Auckland.  If she plays this week she will have no trouble beating Linda Reid, otherwise Han will be the No 1 and would be favoured against Reid as well.  In the No 2 match, either Han or Taylor will play Donna Thorne. Han would win but Thorne will fancy her chances against Taylor.  The No 1 men's match should be a good one to watch with Huatoki's Jonno Ussher up against Michael Fleming.  The No 2 singles should feature Huatoki's Jordan Stayt against Dennis Reid with the experienced Reid favoured over the youngster.  Pukekura may take out this tie with their ladies' strength right through; it depends on the make up of the Huatoki team.

Central Finance Rotokare, the competition leaders, are favoured against bottom placed Sandfords Manaia at Manaia.  The Manaia side have been without their top players, Nicole Koch and Jason Mills, all season and unless they play, they have no chance.  Rotokare have secured the services of former Manawatu rep Kelly Toa and she will play either Koch or Ginny Death.  The No 2 match is likely to feature Rotokare's Leith Atkins against Death or Shinae Bailey with Rotokare odds on favourite. In the men's matches, Rotokare's No 1 will be either Ben Pollard or Chris Popata who will play Jordan Fleming. The No 2 match up will be either Popata, Greg Hareb or Mike Roberts against Mills (if available) or Michael Gates.  Rotokare are favoured in both matches, unless Mills plays.