Women battle gales and Gate Pa for win

Leona Davis-Kaye. Photo / Andrew Warner

Saturday saw Rotorua Tennis Club's men's and women's premier tennis team up against Gate Pa, from Tauranga.

The men played at Rotorua and were unable to complete the first round of doubles games before the wet weather intervened, causing the tie to be completed next Saturday at Rotorua.

Rotorua's women's team travelled to Gate Pa and, despite wet weather delays and strong winds during the afternoon, were able to complete a 4-2 win.

The two teams shared the doubles matches, with Rotorua's Leona Davis-Kaye and Pang Suwanapossee losing their tie against Gate Pa's Lindy Underwood and Janis Smith 6-2, 6-3.

Rotorua's other pairing of Aliya Edwards and Zanna Douglas convincingly beat their opponents Marietta Duffy-Burgess and Phoebe Adler 6-0, 6-2. In the singles matches, Suwanapossee lost her match against Underwood in three sets.

Meanwhile, Douglas' solid hitting proved too strong for Smith, winning 6-3, 6-0. Davis-Kaye's experience and ability saw her overcome teenager Adler 6-4 in the first set before a tight battle ensued in the second set.

Davis-Kaye won the second set in a tie breaker 7-6.

Rotorua's Edwards powerful play saw her beat Duffy-Burgess 6-2, 6-4. Rotorua's team captain Davis-Kaye said the conditions had proven difficult but she was proud of how her players stuck to their task.