23 January 2010

After seven rounds of competition AWE Huatoki has taken a surprise lead on the competition table.  Huatoki caused an upset in defeating reigning premiers Central Finance Rotokare away from home, while Sanford's Manaia match with Stumble Inn Waiwaka ended in a washout, stymieing any opportunity for the South Taranaki side to put forward its challenge for the top spot.

Hareb Deken Oakura put on a commanding display of tennis courtesy of their ladies to complete an 11-5 win over Tariki Icon Sports Pukekura in Oakura on Saturday.  While Pukekura had the edge in the men's matches, Oakura's women were too strong all round which ultimately shone through in the combines where Oakura took all four matches.  Mike Fleming got the ball rolling in a positive fashion for the visiting side by defeating Oakura's No.1 Graham Mitchell 6-3 6-4.  Callum Old and Denis Reid followed suit in beating Josh Walden and Aaron Hine respectively.  Oakura's only reprieve in the men's section came through Len Adamson who beat Jamie Reid in straight sets.  By contrast Oakura coasted through the women singles with each team member winning in straight sets.  Sue Oldfield won in comprehensive style 6-2 6-1 over Kirsten Adam, while Louise Brankin was equally as devastating in her match against Pamela Clough.  Pukekura then earned two more hard-fought victories in the men's doubles- Fleming and Old teamed up to beat Mitchell and Walden 6-7 6-0 7-6; and Denis and Jamie Reid beat Hine and Adamson 6-7 7-6 7-6.  The day belonged to the Oakura women, however and they resumed normal transmission winning their doubles in straight sets before pairing up with their male team mates to put the match beyond doubt.

AWE Huatoki stirred to action in the weekend beating Central Finance Rotokare 10-6 at the Rotokare courts.  Huatoki picked up three of the four singles matches from both the men's and women's sides. The pick of the men's matches was between Amrit Rai and Blair Crowley.  Crowley played some strong baseline tennis backed up with some solid serving, however Rai stepped up to the challenge with some big serving of his own and ultimately reigned supreme 6-4 6-3.  In the women's section, Saori Han gained revenge on Catherine Stevenson from the last time the pair met- Han winning 6-2 6-1.  Beccie Atkins scored a good win over Janice Taylor 7-5 6-3 at No. 2 for Rotokare in the absence of Karen Cranston.  Trudy Neilson and Diane Wilson also played out a thrilling match with Neilson emerging the victor 4-6 6-2 7-6.  Huatoki crucially won all the doubles matches to allow Rotokare no chance of redemption in the combines.  Rai and Quinn Rosa showed great composure to come back from three match points down in the super tiebreak to win their doubles match 6-3 4-6 7-6 (11-9).