Rotorua-Lynmore serving for championship triple

Rotorua-Lynmore captain and number 1 seed Shaun Tamai and his side are serving for a triple of championship titles in a row on the weekend. Photo/Ben Fraser

Defending champions Rotorua-Lynmore men's first team are serving for three championship titles in a row when they take to the court for finals time.

The unbeaten side take on Mount Maunganui Otumoetai in the title match of the 2016/17 Waikato Bay regional premier senior interclub tennis competition, at the Rotorua Tennis Club tomorrow. Rotorua-Lynmore are unbeaten this season, topping the table on 50 points - winning four out of their seven matches while picking up three default results.

Captain and No 1 seed Shaun Tamai, 35, said he expected a "difficult game" but believed his side had enough experience and depth to complete a "special" hat-trick of wins.

"We are feeling very confident," he said. "It's a shame we've had a lot of default results since Christmas but all the players have been topping up their play with local competitions and training hard.

"It would mean a lot for Rotorua tennis. It would be really special and back up how strong the sport is right now in the area."

The Mount are in second place on 36 points, and are somewhat of an unknown team, having to default to Rotorua-Lynmore earlier in the season.

"We don't fully know what to expect and that's hard to prepare for," Tamai said. "We just have to go in positive and with a strong game plan.

"Winning the first couple of match-ups is crucial. We need to keep our heads up throughout and power through."

Rotorua will field a strong squad - James Wilce (2), Jesse Galvin-Dawson (3), Sean Martin (4) and Campbell Brake as a reserve.

"We have real quality, strength and depth in this current side," Tamai said. "Everyone's service game has to be on point and we have to be hitting those lines with the winners.

"To take home that trophy would really seal a top year for this team."

Meanwhile, the Rotorua-Lynmore men's second team playoff for third place against Hamilton, at the Rotorua Tennis Club, after both sides finished on 29 points.

Waikato Bay regional premier senior interclub competitions

Premier Men's final:
Saturday, 1pm:

Rotorua-Lynmore 1 v Mount Maunganui Otumoetai, Rotorua Tennis Club.

Premier Men's third place playoff:
Saturday, 1pm

Rotorua-Lynmore 2 v Hamilton, Rotorua Tennis Club.