22 February 2007
In Soffe Cup
interclub tennis tomorrow, competition leaders Rotokare play third placed
AWE Huatoki at Huatoki.
When thes two
sides met in the first round it was rained out. It promises to be a
close encounter with the top men's match, Rotokare's Mark Atkins against
Jonathan Ussher, with Ussher ranked No 1 likely to win. In the no 2
match, Chris Popata is favoured against Roy Gaskin, as is Mike Roberts over
Neil Bridgeman.
In the women's
singles, Huatoki and Taranaki No 1 Lucy Barlow should beat Taranaki No 5
Leith Atkins. Janice Taylor at No 2 should beat Rotokare's Val McLoughlin.
Second placed
Sandfords Manaia are playing Stratford/Midhirst at Stratford in what will be
a comfortable win for Manaia. Stratford/Midhirst have struggled all season
and are in sixth place. Their No 1 Gavin Phelan will give Thomas
Luxton a good game while Michael O'Sullivan will have a tough workout
against Jason Mills. The women' s matches are likely to all go in favour of
Manaia with Nicole Koch and Ashlee Murdoch heading the line-up. They will
play Min Zimmerman and Kelsi Bevins.
In the other
game being played in New Plymouth, Hooker Pacific Pukekura are away
to Waiwaka and are likely to win.
Both men's
line-ups are unknown, Waiwaka will probably be without Jordan Stayt (
injured ) and David Geange ( university) and Pukekura may also be missing
Zac Wills ( university). Pukekura have a strong and consistent women's
line-up and that should be enough to see them through.