16 Nov 2012

Round Four of Soffe Cup cracks into action this Saturday with  the battle of the Titans, Sandford Manaia at home taking on last years finalist, Icon's Sport Tariki Pukekura; Central Finance Rotokare travel to Hareb Deken Oakura while  Farmlands Okaiawa host AWE Huatoki .  

Manaia's Nicole Koch is sure to come under close inspection from the talented Louise Waite in the battle of the No.1 women while Maree Gopperth at 2 will have to improve to outpoint Kirsten Adam.  Grace Kelly has an uphill battle against Linda Reid, however Trudy Vince, after her good win last week, could give Donna Thorne some trouble.  Manaia's No. 1 Jordan Fleming has a 3-1 winning record over Callum Old, but they may count for nothing as Old is showing some good form.  Mike Fleming beat Cameron Koch in last season's final, but this time it could go either way.  At 3and 4, Manaia's Michael Gates and young Beauden Fleming will be under intense pressure from Chris Jury and Jamie Simpson, with the Pukekura pair likely.  The doubles could be evenly matched and the match could hinge on the combines. 

In-form Oakura No 1 Graeme Mitchell is the only likely resistance in the men's line-up, and should beat Malcolm Elder in the men's No.1 match.  Rotokare's Kyle Crowley and Greg Hareb, at No. 2 and No. 3 should ease past Pukekura's Craig Waite and Len Adamson respectively.  Buzz Campbell  at no. 4, will play debutant, Charlie Lewis.  Rotokare's women's lineup have Karen Cranston back at No. 1 to face Sue Oldfield, while Frances Gray will have a tough day facing Oakura's Miaana Walden at No. 2.  The Atkins sisters, Beccie and Michelle will be hard pressed to beat Oakura's Jackie Keenan and Chris Davies, respectively.  The doubles and combines could be even. 

Huatoki will be confident they can get over Okaiawa with the return of Amrit Rai at No.1 to take on Okaiawa's Andrew Powell.  If Rai gets his big serve going it could be a short match.  Alastair Nairn at No. 2, could find  Okaiawa's  Mark Laurence tough, while it will be ‘Brill meets Guile‘ with in-form Vincent Baylis taking on  Huatoki's spin magician Murray Keast.  At 4, Thomas Burrell versus Okaiawa's Ryan Stockman could go either way.  In the women's, with Alice Caskey away for exams,  Huatoki's  Sophie Robertson steps up to No 1 versus Okaiawa's No 1, Amelia Weir. Weir is confident after a good win last week, while the balance of the womens' matches should go Huatoki's way, with Chris Wilson, Lorraine Heerdegen and debutant Julie Foley, all having the edge over Jo Gyde, Jaimee Baylis and Shannon O'Brien.  Huatoki are favoured to dominate  the doubles and combines.