"Michael's the reigning New Zealand doubles champion and he's won the title twice with different partners," Clarke explained, after the pair trounced Greg Bryant, of Wellington, and Murray Goldfinch, of Dunedin, 26-7 in the last game of the undefeated pairs last night.
The only other pair that could have caused an upset, Paul Skinley and Aiken Hakes, both of Wellington, succumbed 26-0 to the favourites earlier in the day.
Said Clarke: "Even if we lose a game tomorrow we will be champions because we have both game and net-point advantage over the others."
His assessment, no doubt more reliable than most weather forecasts, is that they have a 99.9 per cent probability of prevailing today.
What about the 0.1 per cent?
"That'll happen only if we play sickly bad against a pairing who play a blinder."
Clarke said the wet conditions weren't ideal, so one would hate to think what the result would be when it fines up.
Skinley said association players tended to play in all weather.
"It was freezing cold but we still enjoyed playing our game," he said.
The slow lawns meant players required more power to control the two balls between hoops.
"It pays to have a big swing, timing is crucial and you have to be powerful," the 54-year-old explained.
Players' skill, good drainage and not using super sponges to clear pools of water, meant the lawns would be in good nick.
Doubles continue today with hopes of six matches but organisers will settle for five.
The singles competition starts tomorrow.
