Pirinoa retain points

Defending champions Pirinoa will retain the points earned from their 5-4 win over Gladstone a fortnight ago despite the Wairarapa Lawn Tennis Association reiterating to their regional one inter-club sides that the format for their competition is for teams to consist of four men and two women.
A shortage of males saw Pirinoa play their top woman, former Central Districts representative Leanne Sweeney, at No.4 in their men's section against Gladstone, a decision agreed to by Gladstone before play commenced. And with wins in both the singles and doubles she was a major contributor in their victory.
As it happens, however, the rules did not allow for that to happen and while association executive officer Cilla Paulik said Pirinoa would not be penalised on this occasion any further situations of that kind would see points deducted from the offending side.
That this season's regional one competition could be one of the closest on record was indicated by the results of first round games with all three games being won 5-4. Interestingly enough the singles were shared 3-3 on each occasion and it was the doubles which made the difference between success and defeat.
Two of the winning sides then were Carterton and Martinborough and they will meet at Carterton tomorrow. With the likes of Marco de Groot and Steve Chapman leading the way Martinborough do appear to have the greater depth in the men's singles and that could see them dominant doubles play as well.
So even allowing for the experience of Judy Murrell and Cathy Rolls in the women's section for Carterton
a 6-3 win to Martinborough is predicted.
Gladstone and Opaki should have an interesting duel at Opaki with a 5-4 win to either side the most likely result.
The top men's singles will be very much a case of experience versus youth with the guile of Opaki's Russell Broughton matched against the speed of Gladstone's Baden Stevenson, who actually played for Opaki a couple of seasons back.
And there will be an intriguing duel in the top women's singles as well where Katie Wyeth (Opaki) will take on one of her main challengers for the Wairarapa No.1 spot, Emma Stevenson.
Pirinoa should have the edge on Masterton in their clash at Masterton although much will depend on the make-up of the Pirinoa side, especially in the men's section now that Sweeney is not able to play there.
It was noticeable, however, that names like Mike Jackson and Tim Pickering were missing from the team which played Gladstone and if either, or both, of them are back on deck tomorrow Masterton will be hard pressed to pick up more than three rubbers.