Gladstone happy with final underdog status

Gladstone are quite happily assuming the role of underdog leading into the final of the Wairarapa Tennis Association's regional one competition against Martinborough at the Masterton Tennis Centre tomorrow.
But that doesn't mean they have written off their chances of causing an upset and winning the premier title for the first time in the club's history.
Far from it in fact according to team captain Chris Schofield, who says Gladstone will "come out fighting" against their more favoured opposition.
"We are the underdogs, no doubt about that," Schofield said.
"On paper they (Martinborough) should get there but you never know on the day, a surprise win or two and we could do it."
Schofield sees the men's singles as being crucial to Gladstone's chances with Baden Stevenson and Schofield himself desperate to secure victories over Steve Chapman and Marco de Groot respectively, a situation which he admits to be "very challenging".
Previous meetings between the two sides would suggest Stevenson should have the edge over the wily Chapman but Schofield concedes he has struggled to get the better of de Groot and is anticipating another cliff-hanger tomorrow.
Gladstone's Emma Stevenson will probably need to account for Jan Lankow in the top women's singles too if her side is to stay in the reckoning.
On past form Stevenson would be expected to do that comfortably enough but she has had little tennis this season because of a lower back injury and consequently the experienced Lankow is sure to make life difficult for her.
Strevenson lost last weekend to promising Masterton youngster Sade Atkinson in a semi-final which Gladstone won 5-4.
The other semi-final was something of a one-horse race with Martinborough not even dropping a set in beating Opaki 9-0 but their captain Marco de Groot is expecting a much sterner challenge from Gladstone.
"We are not a home run, nowhere near it," de Groot said.
"Yes, we are the favourites but that doesn't count for anything, it's what happens on the day that counts."
Like Schofield, de Groot sees the singles results as having a big bearing on the outcome and he has huge respect for the ability of Gladstone in that department. "They will make us work hard there, we know that." he said. "We probably should have the edge overall but nothing is guaranteed.".
THE LIKELY LINE-UPS FOR TOMORROW ARE:-
GLADSTONE: Baden Stevenson. Chris Schofield, Alistair McWilliam James Marsh or Peter Morriss, Emma Stevenson, Zoe Schofield.
MARTINBOROUGH: Steve Chapman, Marco de Groot, Matt Nicholson, Dan Nicholson, Jan Lankow, Libby Paterson.
The regional two finals will also be played at the Masterton Tennis Centre tomorrow with Gladstone and Rathkeale College 1 fighting it out for the men's title for the second successive year and the women's crown going to either St Matthew's Collegiate No.2 or Wairarapa College No.1.