SOFFE CUP REVIEW

Rotokare caused the upset of the round in the Soffe Cup on Saturday; they defeated Pukekura 9-7 at Pukekura.  Although Pukekura had the Waite brothers and Donna Thorne making their first appearances of the season, it wasn’t enough. Rotokare were without David Geange and Debbie Campbell but the depth of the club was shown and the team came through with the victory.

Pukekura led 5-3 after the singles with all their women winning and their No 4, Tony Radich defeating Mark Atkins 6-4 7-5.  Rotokare’s advantage came in both the men’s and women’s doubles, winning three out of four and three out of four mixed doubles.  Rotokare’s Mike Roberts and Chris Pulford won all their matches while Pukekura’s  Linda Reid was the only one to win all three for her team.

Sandfords Manaia 1 was hardly tested in their 16-0 whitewash over Midhirst, at Midhirst.  All the matches were easy wins apart from the No 3 men’s singles between Alaister Murdoch and Val Cleaver.
Murdoch dropped the first set 3-6 before going on to win the next two 6-1, 7-6.  On the points table, Manaia 1 and Waiwaka have a big break on the rest of the field; Midhirst are wooden spooners.

Accent on Curtains Waiwaka disposed of Manaia 2 15-1 at Waiwaka.  Three of the men’s singles went to third set tie-breakers but No1 Aaron Hine hardly raised a sweat in his match against Michael Gates, cruising to a 6-1, 6-0 win.  Manaia’s only win was from their No 4, Clare Goldsworthy who defeated Ana McSeveny 6-3, 6-3.
 

Stratford recorded it’s first win of the season when they defeated Hawera 10-6 at home.  Stratford’s No 2, Elliot Campbell returned from university to make his first appearance of the season and won all his matches, along with No 4 Penny Stark.  Stratford led 5-3 after the singles with Gavin Phelan, Elliot Campell, Grant Kite, Jadyn Bruce and Penny Stark all winning their matches.  Hawera and Taranaki No1, Catherine Stevenson made a welcome return to her club after being at university and won all her matches, the only Hawera player to do so.  Hawera are wallowing at second to bottom on the table without a win.

 

Results

A2
Manaia 10 Huatoki 6, Kaponga 16 Rotokare 0, Matapu 16 Waitara 0

A3
Oakura 10 Pukekura 6, Kaimata 10 Stratford 6, Inglewood 12 Hawera 4

 

Points

Soffe Cup
Manaia 60, Waiwaka 56, Pukekura 41, Rotokare 37, Stratford 31, Manaia 2 24, Hawera 23, Midhirst 18

A2
Kaponga 52, Matapu 50, Okaiawa 36, Rotokare 24, Huatoki 19, Manaia 18, Waitara 17

A3
Oakura 44, Inglewood 44, Kaimata 41, Stratford 38, Pukekura 29, Hawera 20