'Mixed' doubles under new premier concept

It will be a very different looking 2011-12 Wairarapa senior interclub tennis competition which kicks off tomorrow.

With just Opaki, Gladstone and Masterton entering the premier grade, the Wairarapa association were forced to come up with a novel concept to provide regular play for the participants, and consequently a league format will be in operation.

This will see the players drawn to play one singles match and one doubles match each week and while they might not necessarily be drawn to play with their own teammates in doubles play, every win they secure will be worth two points to their club.

The club with the most points after December 17 will be awarded the Shirley Corlett Trophy while the two top-placed clubs at the end of the season will play off for the main championship, the Gawith Shield. The leading individual points scorers will also be rewarded for their efforts.

The likely line-ups are:

Opaki: Katie Wyeth, Abby Hill, Brett Dymond, Stu Wyeth, Chris Donaldson.

Gladstone: Zoe Schofield, Sandy McNab, Chris Schofield, Alistair McWilliam, Angus Preston.

Masterton: Dushka Warren, Zoe Paris, Matt Bunny, Chad Parsons, George Passi.