Gladstone upset could be on cards

The big improvers of the Wairarapa regional one tennis inter-club competition this season, Gladstone, could create a situation which would have been unthinkable 12 months ago if they beat Martinborough at Martinborough tomorrow.
Victory by at least three games would see Gladstone actually displace Martinborough at the top of the current points table, a huge change in fortunes from last season when their big battle was to keep themselves away from the bottom of the ladder.
That Gladstone are capable of at least making a close go of it against Martinborough cannot be debated. Led by three of the more promising youngsters in the region, Baden Stevenson, Chris Schofield and Emma Stevenson, they have enough depth in both singles and doubles play to keep things interesting all the way through.
That Gladstone are capable of at least making a close go of it against Martinborough cannot be debated.
Martinborough's confidence would have been boosted by their surprisingly comfortable 6-3 win over defending champions Pirinoa last weekend, and remember that was without them having the services of their top male player in Marco de Groot. He will probably be back in action tomorrow which gives them considerable strength in their men' section, what with the recent good form shown by the likes of Steve Chapman, Andy Darling and Dan Nicholson. And having players of the calibre of Carla Didsbury and Libby Paterson in their women's section is a definite plus for them too.
Opaki, who currently are placed third equal with Pirinoa, will see their match with Masterton at Masterton as being a prime opportunity to close the gap between them and Martinborough and Gladstone on the points table.
The acquisition of Makoura College exchange student Franzi Mergel is, however, a huge plus for Masterton and after edging out Gladstone's Emma Stevenson in the singles last weekend the young German will be keen to include another of this region's top female players, Opaki's Katie Wyeth, amongst her scalps as well.
But while Mergel's presence will obviously help the Masterton cause Opaki's greater depth, especially in the men's section, could see them run out decisive winners.
Pirinoa will be disappointed with their slow start to the season and while they will be favourites against Carterton at Carterton tomorrow they would be wise to take nothing for granted here as well.
Carterton actually won more "official" games than did Opaki in their meeting last weekend but a couple of defaults meant they failed by just the one match to grab overall victory. That was a plucky effort on their part and in-form players such as Kelby Courtney and Liam McMenamin will been to continue along the same lines in this one.
In Pirinoa's case their performance could depend on who takes the court as they have seldom fielded their top line-up this season, and their results have suffered as a consequence.