Taranaki Tennis: Second Round Looking Intriguing

The second round of the Taranaki 2019/20 tennis season is sure to take some more interesting turns this weekend. Teams will be fired up to either right wrongs or continue positive starts.

In Soffe Cup, South Combined will be hosting a Rotokare side still searching for its first win. Once again, it seems likely there will be a split between the men and the women. Rotokare will be hoping their men can dominate enough to nullify the strength of the South Combined women. Abby Ross is only going to improve as the season progresses and already poses a formidable threat to other number one women.  The tie could be well be decided by the wily abilities of the team captains to match up their combines.
 

The second Soffe Cup match will see Oakura having Huatoki to contend with. This is a tie that is hard to predict.  It will depend heavily on which side is closest to full strength.  If Sammy Lewis makes himself available this Saturday, along with Jamie Simpson, it will greatly change the fortunes of the Oakura men.  Oakura’s women are in a similar position, where one key player could make all the difference to the lineup.
 

The last Soffe Cup match-up sees Stratford host Pukekura in a tie that may hold some surprises.  Pukekura was struggling to pick four women.  If stroke makers like Courtney Tippett have a good day for Stratford, it may make it difficult for Pukekura to canter through to the easy victory many expected. That said, Caleb Fleming will be available this Saturday, making Pukekura’s men an even tougher prospect than last Saturday.
 

In the Wilson Trophy, South Combined will host Pukekura, Rotokare will welcome Waitara and Inglewood take on Oakura.

In the Sumpter Trophy, Pukekura do battle with South Combined and Huatoki will batten down the hatches to face Oakura