15 Feb 2014

The Semi-finalists have been found for the 2013-14 Soffe Cup with No.1 place AWE Huatoki taking on Hareb Deken Oakura while second placed Naki Racquets Pukekura host Sandfords Manaia.

In the battle for the minor premiership, Huatoki rolled out the big guns with Amrit Rai giving an out-of-sorts Jaime Simpson a tennis lesson in straight sets.  Ajeet Rai at No.2, showed he still has a way to go as Chris Jury gave him a good fright; Rai taking a tough win.  Alastair Nairn  at 3 took on what many think is the seasons most improved player, Pukekura's No.3 Brady Simpson, and came out the wrong side.  Dave Innes took an injury into his match and it showed, with fellow veteran, Meto Snegirev taking advantage for an easy win.  Pukekura was supposed to have the upper hand in the  women's line-ups with both No.1's away.  Chris Wilson has never beaten Linda Reid and today was no exception; Reid easily the winner.  At No 2, Hikaru Han used her youth to exploit an injured Donna Thorne, who conceded halfway through the second set.  Ellen O'Byrne blew Chantelle Peters off the court with her relentless forehand, while Tracey Old had to come up against new signing, Chinese exchange student, Bam Klibmanee; Old coming second.

In the Rotokare v Oakura match, Oakura's Graeme Mitchell at No.1 made  short work of Malcolm Elder.  At No.2, Len Adamson's experience was no compensation for tough lefty, Kyle Crowley who eased through.  Inexperienced Simon Spurdle and Scott Young met tough opponents in Rotokare hard man Buzz Campbell and captain fantastic Shane Devlin, respectively.  In the women's, Oakura find, Paula Ferguson took on NZ vets title holder Karen Cranston, in a 3 set slugfest with the honours going Ferguson's way.  Jackie Keenan had a surprise win over comeback queen, Tania L'Ami while Chris Davies was outlasted by a determined Debbie Campbell; Campbell taking the match in 3 sets.  Junior rep Bailey Bruckner had too much firepower for Rotokare No.4, Hannah Trevis. 

Manaia stalwarts Jordan Fleming and Cameron Koch were back to steer the Manaia ship, opposing respectively Andrew Powell and Vincent Baylis. The result as expected went Manaia's way but Okaiawa accounted well for themselves   Ryan Stockman at 3 battled valiantly against old campaigner, Alastair Murdoch, but eventually succumbed in 3 sets.  Les Symes showed cunning and willingness to win easily against youngster, Kody Murdoch.  In the women's, Aleisha Ford at 1, breezed past Jaimee Baylis, while Bridgid Annabell demolished a shell shocked Aroha Beattie.   Okaiawa came storming back when Dayna Corbett & Jessica Ford were no match for Okaiawa's Lauren Fraine & Laurel Stockman.  Fraine & Stockman having their best wins of the season.  The doubles were shared and Manaia picked up three of the mixed.