Tennis odds favour Carterton

Matt Spooner should lead Carterton to victory. PHOTO/FILE

WAIRARAPA Tennis interclub will fire back into action tomorrow with a full round of senior interclub being played around the region.

The feature match of regional one is Carterton playing host to Gladstone in a replay of the Shirley Corlett Trophy final played before Christmas.

On that occasion Carterton registered a narrow count-back victory after the scores were level, so Gladstone will be determined to set the record straight and put a significant marker in the ground for the remainder of the season.

But Carterton will have plenty of motivation of their own after suffering their first loss of the season to Opaki in their last start, and the return of both Cory Spooner and Andi Steinemann certainly gives the home side an ominous appearance.

When you consider that Carterton has yet to lose an individual match at home this season and they have the likes of the unbeaten Matt Spooner and Wairarapa women's champion Karen Herrick in their ranks, the scenario of a Gladstone victory does not look likely.

Having said that, Gladstone has been somewhat of an underdog all season and have proved the doubters wrong at every opportunity.

Kelby Courtney, Alistair McWilliam and Lochie

McNab have all been winning their matches more often

than not, and will relish the chance to play on the bouncy hard courts of Carterton where they have all had success in the past.

It does look a tall order for the visitors, however, and Carterton are favoured here to extend their lead at the head of the Gawith Shield table.

Opaki and Masterton will lock horns at Masterton in the other fixture being played, and there is plenty at stake for both teams as they look to move into playoff contention.

With Carterton and Gladstone looking to have the top two spots sewn up, there will be a real bun-fight for the third playoff position among Opaki, Masterton and Martinborough, who have the bye this weekend.

Of these three teams, Opaki look ideally placed to make a charge.

They defeated Carterton in their last start and have already had the wood on a strong Masterton line-up in their previous outing.

Chris Davidson has been steadily improving at the top of the order for the visitors, though he will need to be at his absolute best to overcome Masterton's classy No 1 Chad Parson in what should be the match of the day.

Opaki will back themselves down the order to make some inroads as they inevitably do, although if Masterton have anything like their strongest team on court then this fixture could hang in the balance.

All things being even, Opaki should have the goods, which would put them into a clear third place heading into another short break for the Wairarapa closed tournament.

In regional two action, competition leaders Masterton 1 have the bye.

Carterton/Gladstone conquered Masterton 1 in their previous outing and should be too strong for Masterton 2 at Gladstone to continue their rise up the table.

Martinborough are also in contention and will be looking to overpower Rathkeale at home, while in the Opaki derby, the No 2 team would appear to have the edge on the No 1 team.