21 February 2010

With one round remaining the top four teams have everything to play for in order to secure the much vaunted home semi-final.  Sanfords Manaia has taken a 1 point lead over AWE Huatoki while Hareb Deken Oakura has also signalled their intentions closing to within 7 and 8 points of the two leading clubs.

 

AWE Huatoki and Tariki Icon Sports Pukekura played out an 8-8 draw at the Huatoki courts on Saturday.  The score reflected an even contest throughout the day with neither side quite able to seize the decisive advantage.  The singles were shared 2 all on both the men's and women's sections.  Amrit Rai overcame the challenge of Callum Old in the top mens match 5-7 6-0 7-6 (10-8).  Zach Wills announced his brief return to Soffe Cup with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Quinn Rosa, while his Pukekura team-mate Meto Snegirev pulled out his trump card to beat David Innes 5-7 6-4 7-6.

Linda Reid overturned her fortunes against Saori Han to win 7-6 6-3.  Chris Wilson won her pivotal singles match over Donna Thorne 6-7 6-1 7-6 to level the tie at 4-4 going into the doubles.  The doubles were dominated by Pukekura in the men's section while Huatoki did the same in the women's.  Wills and Snegirev won a tight match against Rosa and Innes 6-3 3-6 7-6.  Han and Janice Taylor performed well to beat Reid and Thorne 6-3 6-3, while Wilson and Alice Caskey continue to form a solid partnership winning 6-4 6-4 over Kirsten Adam and Jeanette Harding.
At 6-6 the tie hinging on the combines both teams anxiously ventured out to break the deadlock.  As it went the entire day however games were shared tit for tat leaving both teams to reflect on a day where their fortunes could have been so easily different.

 

Hareb Deken Oakura showed their desire not to be discounted in their title bid for season 09-10 with a commanding victory over Stumble Inn Waiwaka 11-5.  Oakura went ahead 5-3 after the singles taking three of the men's and two women's singles. John Hardie Boys won a solid match against David Lace 6-2 7-5 while Tei Walden was a little closer in his win over Ngana Nicholas 7-6 5-7 7-6.  Momich pulled out one of his best performances of the season in beating Len Adamson 6-3 2-6 7-6.

In the women's singles, Sue Oldfield and Louise Brankin were comprehensive in their wins for Oakura, while Michelle Lace won well over Becky Bruckner 6-1 6-3 and Melissa Wong won 6-3 3-6 7-6 over Shae Martin.  Graham Mitchell and Hardie Boys illustrated their doubles prowess in winning 7-5 6-2 over Mike and David Lace.  Jaydn Bruce and Wong were the only pairing in the doubles to register a win for Waiwaka- winning 7-6 6-4 over Brankin and Martin.

Oakura underlined their supremacy in the combines taking three of the four ties- Waiwaka’s sole win came in the top match with Mike Lace and Oakes beating Mitchell and Oldfield 9-6.  Hardie Boys and Walden completed a successful day for themselves winning all three of their respective matches- Hardies Boys teamed up with Bruckner to win 9-5 over David and Michelle Lace, as Walden paired with Martin to beat Nicholas and Wong 9-5.

 

Sanfords Manaia was in imperious form on Saturday beating Central Finance Rotokare 11-5 in New Plymouth.  Manaia streaked ahead in the singles 6-2 taking all four men's singles.  Jordan Fleming outgunned Blair Crowley in the No.1 men's match 6-1 6-1, while Jason Mills, Michael Gates and Grant Gopperth were all in great touch winning their matches in straight sets.  In the women's singles Maree Gopperth scored a very good win over Beccie Atkins 6-2 6-3 in the No.2 match.

Karen Cranston led the way for Rotokare winning all three of her matches.  Cranston defeated Ginny Death in straight sets, whilst inflicting the same damage with her partner Helena Goodin in the women's doubles, before finally winning a hard-fought combines match with Kyle Crowley over Mills and Grace Kelly 9-7.

Rotokare's remaining victories came from Helena Goodin in her singles match against Marina Gopperth.  Goodin then paired with Shane Devlin in the combines doubles to beat Michael Gates and Marina Gopperth 9-5.  Standout performers for Manaia were numerous indicating a top all round performance, however Fleming along with Maree Gopperth were both particularly impressive throughout.
 
Results
Wilson Trophy
Inglewood 14 Rotokare 2, Waiwaka 9 Hawera 7, Matapu 12 Manaia Blue 4, Okaiawa 14 Manaia White 2, Huatoki 12 Waitara 4,
Sumpter Trophy
Hawera 9 Rotokare 7, Okaiawa 5 Huatoki 11,
 
Points Table
Soffe Cup
Sanfords Manaia 100, AWE Huatoki 99, Hareb Deken Oakura 92 Central Finance Rotokare 87, Tariki Icon Sports Pukekura 67, Stumble Inn Waiwaka 62