Rotorua are going for the top title in the Waikato Bay regional premier senior interclub this weekend.
Top-of-the-table Rotorua women first team take on second-placed Tauranga Lawn away tomorrow. The local side look set to win the trophy they won in 2014 leading the table by eight points after fivegames - meaning their opponents need to take maximum points across the doubles and single matches.
Despite the unbeaten Rotorua women's position, captain Leona Davis-Kaye is wary of her side's tough opposition.
"I am feeling pretty confident and basically we should have it in the bag but you never really know till the day," she said. "They could come out all firing and if we get on the back foot then that could be all steam ahead for them.
"They're a difficult side to beat and this year they've had a strong squad. We just aim to go there and do our job. If we play like I know we can then that trophy will be ours but you can never fully count your chickens."
Rotorua women will field a six-strong squad with Davis-Kaye joined by No 1 seed 17-year-old Mia Wardlaw, Aliya Edwards (2), Debbie Dowland (4), Wei wei Verran (5) and Lara Wild.
They have the added boost of having beaten tomorrow's opposition 5-1 just two rounds ago.
"It's a good mix - Mia is an exceptional young talent and she has an excellent service game and backhand," she said. "But we also have great experience and depth in our squad.
"That's what has powered us through this year. When you have that blend of youth and seasoned players it creates the right balance in a squad.
"We know we can beat this team. We've already proved that so I want to see a similar performance again. Focus and communication will be crucial if we want to lift that trophy once again."
Meanwhile in the men's competition, defending champions Rotorua-Lynmore first team finished the pre-Christmas season top of the table and will look to retain their title in the new year.
Waikato Bay regional premier senior interclub competitions
