28 Nov 2010
Tariki Icon Sports Pukekura comprehensively defeated AWE Huatoki 12-4 on Saturday. Pukekura were the dominant side from the outset and hammered home an early advantage to maximise their return from the fixture. Pukekura won three of the four singles in both the womens and mens sections. Callum Old, Tony Radich and Thomas Brown all had convincing straight sets wins over their respective opponents Amrit Rai, David Geange and Ajeet Rai. Huatoki's No.1 Jono Ussher was the only man to register a win for his side beating Michael Fleming 6-4 7-6.
Linda Reid, Kirsten Adam and Donna Thorne were all too good for Chris Wilson, Diane Carswell and Lorraine Heerdigan respectively. Sophie Robertson was the standout performer for the losing side winning two of her three matches; she won her singles match against Jeanette Harding after coming from behind 4-6 7-6 7-6.
Pukekura swept through the doubles; the highlight of which was the premier mens doubles match between Michael Fleming/Callum Old against Jono Ussher/Amrit Rai. In a match that produced some high quality serving and volleying Fleming and Old came out on top 6-4 3-6 7-6. Tony Radich and Thomas Brown paired well to defeat David Geange and Ajeet Rai 6-4 6-0. Both lady's pairings for Pukekura won in style; Linda Reid/ Donna Thorne beat Chris Wilson/ Lorraine Heerdigan 6-2 6-2, while Kirsten Adam/ Jeanette Harding beat Diane Carswell/Sophie Robertson 6-2 6-1.
The combines thereafter although a mere formality allowed Huatoki to salvage some precious points as they were shared 2-2.
Central Finance Rotokare beat Hareb Deken Oakura 10-6 away from home in the weekend to strengthen their foothold in the top 4. Oakura's Graham Mitchell won his best match of the season so far defeating Ben Pollard 6-4 6-3, as did Josh Walden who repeated the scoreline in his match with Blair Crowley at No.2. The other mens singles went Rotokare's way: Malcolm Elder and Kyle Crowley both playing impressively to beat Tei Walden and Jamie Hareb respectively. Tania L'Ami stepped up to No. 1 this weekend for Rotokare to great effect- she defeated Miaana Walden 6-2 6-3. Frances Gray meanwhile continues to go from strength to strength winning against Shae Martin 6-3 2-6 7-6 at No.2.
After leading 5-3 at the completion of the singles, Rotokare sustained the ascendancy by winning 3 of the 4 doubles before the combines were shared.
The most thrilling matches of which evidently came in the combines; while the doubles were relatively straightforward affairs, three of the four combines went down to the wire. Ben Pollard/Tania L'Ami firstly defeated Graham Mitchell/Jackie Mitchell. Malcolm Elder/Beth O’ Neill then had a tiebreak decider to beat Tei Walden and Shae Martin 9-8 (10-8). Finally Jamie Hareb/Chrissy Davies won against Kyle Crowley/Helena Goodin 9-8 (7-4).
Stumble Inn Waiwaka put up a stern test for Sanfords Manaia on Saturday but as has become ritual for the South Taranaki side, they pulled through when it matters most in at the backend of play decisively winning the doubles and combines to seal a 10-6 win. Singles honours were shared; Manaia had the dominant mens combination while Waiwaka, bolstered by the return of Nicki Martin to their women's lineup, controlled the womens section.
In the mens singles, Jordan Fleming, Cameron Koch, and Michael Gates all had commanding wins for Manaia against David Lace, Mike Lace, and Michael Lloyd respectively. Michael Goulding won the sole mens singles match for Waiwaka beating Jacob Gopperth in straight sets.
Nicole Koch was too good for Krystal Oakes winning 6-1 6-2 in the No.1 ladies match. Waiwaka had their strongest women's team together however and it paid dividends- Michelle Lace, Nicki Martin, and Jaydn Bruce all won in straight sets over Sarah Kelly, Maree Gopperth, and Grace Kelly respectively.
From that point forth Manaia won three of the four doubles and combines in a perfect illustration of what separates this team from the rest of the competition this season. Manaia's top pairing Cameron Koch/Jordan Fleming, defeated Mike and David Lace 6-0 6-4, while Nicole Koch/Maree Gopperth defeated Krystal Oakes/Michelle Lace 6-2 6-0.
Results
Wilson Trophy
Oakura 9 Huatoki 7, Waiwaka 10 Manaia White 6, Hawera 8 Rotokare 8, Thomson O’Neill Stratford 15 Inglewood 1, Pukekura 4 Okaiawa 12, Manaia Blue 10 Matapu 6
Sumpter Trophy
Opunake 2 Waitara 14, Okaiawa 12 Huatoki 4, Inglewood 11 Waiwaka 5, Stratford 13 Manaia 3
Points Table
Soffe Cup
Sanfords Manaia 68, Tariki Icon Sports Pukekura 59, Central Finance Rotokare 58, Stumble Inn Waiwaka 49, AWE Huatoki 49, Hareb Deken Oakura 39
Wilson Trophy
Thomson O’Neill Stratford 72, Okaiawa 62, Waiwaka 62, Hawera 49, Matapu 43, Oakura 42, Ecolab Manaia Blue 41, Laurie Jordan Accountant Rotokare 37, Inglewood 35, Pukekura 34, RMY Huatoki 33, Ecolab Manaia White 30
Sumpter Trophy
Waitara 73, Okaiawa 63, Stratford 51, Opunake 51, Huatoki 47, Inglewood 43, Manaia 17.5, Waiwaka 14.5,