27 Jan 2014

AWE Huatoki easy accounted for Sandfords Manaia 12-4, while Naki Racquets Pukekura downed a spirited Hareb Deken Oakura side 11-5. Central Finance Rotokare edged past Farmlands Okaiawa 11-5 in the battle for the wooden spoon.

For Manaia sporting a different squad from their usual line-up, without their big guns Jordan Fleming, Cameron Koch and Nicole Koch, it was a tall ask to take on a full strength Hautoki side.  Huatoki No.1, big-serving Amrit Rai whistled past a shell shocked Beauden Fleming, taking the match in straight sets.  Taranaki Open Champ Ajeet Rai at 2, didn't have it all his own way against battler Jacob Gopperth but managed to come through with the win, while Huatoki No 3  Alastair Nairn took three sets to tame young lion, Josh Murdoch.  Experienced Dave Innes was his dependable self, with a comfortable win over Alex Gawler.  In the women's, Huatoki came out even with Alice Caskey at No.1, having little trouble with Maree Gopperth, and Hikaru Han at 3, dispatching Grace Kelly in similar fashion.  Chris Wilson played unbeaten Trudy Vince and Vince stayed unbeaten, while Ellen O'Byrne could not keep up with a determined Brigid Annabell, the Manaia player winning in 3 sets.  Huatoki were dominant in the doubles, with all combines going their way. 

Okaiawa were without their number 1 man, Andrew Powell. This meant that Hamish Mead stepped up to play Rotokare's Ben Pollard.  Mead accounted himself well but lacked the experience to force a win, going down in three sets.  At 2, in a close match, Malcolm Elder out- thought big hitting Mark Laurence, to win in straight sets while Kyle Crowley found some way to get past Vincent  Baylis, at 3, in 3 sets.  Rotokare No.4 Shane Devlin had his chances but shot maker Ryan Stockman, dug deep to close out the match in 3 sets.  Amongst the ladies, Okaiawa No.1 Amelia Weir, who has had little game time this season showed she's lost none of her skills, easily  defeating Frances Gray.  Okaiawa No's 3 & 4, Jaime Baylis & Lauren Fraine added to the home teams wins with victories over Julie Foley & Helena Goodin respectively. The only win for Rotokare was No.2, Tania L'Ami, on the comeback after injury, and showing that she's not far from back to her best with an easy win over Emmah Ussher.

Jamie Simpson was the toast of Pukekura as he scored a good win, in straight sets, over a higher ranked opponent, in professional coach, Oakura's Kurt Mcnamara.  Chris Jury at No.2, was hardly troubled by veteran Len Adamson, while Brady Simpson had a closely fought match with Tei Walden, eventually winning in 3 sets.  Pukekura No 4 Meto Snegirev started off with a flyer, but was lucky to hold off Simon Spurdle.  The ladies' sides were even with the singles and doubles shared.  Louise Waite at No.1 was just too strong for Oakura's Sue Oldfield, and young Michaela Spurdle at No.4, was too fit and too fast for big hitting Chris Davies.  Paula Ferguson at No.2 for Oakura pulled one back with a surprisingly easy win over Donna Thorne, while Miaana Walden took time to get going, but eventually overcame Pukekura No.3, Chantelle Peters in 3 sets.  Pukekura dominated the doubles