Taranaki relaxes rules to put Christie Cup up for grabs

By Gary Caffell Fears that the Christie Cup might not be at stake when the Wairarapa senior representative tennis team plays Taranaki in New Plymouth next Saturday have been erased. The timing of the match meant that under the current rules Taranaki could well have been within their rights to refuse a challenge for the trophy which is the symbol of supremacy in the central districts region. But discussions between the two associations have ended amicably with Taranaki agreeing that the Cup will be up for grabs but in New Plymouth rather than the original venue of Hawera. Wairarapa selector Steve Hurley gives his team a "good outside chance" of toppling Taranaki and if they do they will put the Christie Cup on the line the very next day when they meet Manawatu in Palmerston North. That decision is born out of a belief by Hurley and his team that the Cup should be at stake for every match played by the holder when the teams consist a of a full complement of players, six men and six women. "That's how we see it and that's how we want to play it," Hurley said. "Obviously it would be a big ask to play two Cup games in as many days but we'll do it if we have to." Interestingly enough it was Manawatu who challenged Taranaki for the Cup just last weekend with Taranaki winning 14-10. With Wairarapa not having played Taranaki for some five years now Hurley admits to having only limited knowledge of their side but he rates the current Manawatu team highly enough to say that Taranaki must be a powerful unit to beat them so comfortably. The Wairarapa line-up for next weekend won't be confirmed until tomorrow but it seems likely that seven men will be taken??Jono Hurley, Matt Spooner, Baden Stevenson, Geoff McKay, Tim Pickering, Mike Jackson and Matt Nicholson. And those almost certain to be included in the women's section are Emma Stevenson, Katie Wyeth, Ashleigh Gane, Natasha Robinson and Bridget Needham. Hurley said the emphasis at a training session this week had been on doubles play as with each individual in the Christie Cup clash having to play one singles and two doubles games it would be vital that the doubles combinations were up to scratch. "The chances are it could be pretty even after the singles and if that's the case the doubles will be the deciding factor," he said. "It's all about compatability there and we are working hard to get that right.". On the inter-club scene, regional one matches tomorrow will see competition leaders Martinborough up against the side they are mostly likely to play in the final, Masterton, and Opaki playing Carterton.