Hawke's Bay's top badminton side got their revenge before losing to national division three favourites Wellington in Hutt Valley at the weekend.
Coach of the Toll-sponsored Bay side, Kyle Tostevin, was keen to get one over the Manawatu side they lost to last year. This was achieved with a 10-6victory.
The third round tie started well with schoolgirls Nykayla Johnson and Juneer Pontana continuing their memorable debut season at senior level with wins at No 4 and No 2 respectively.
Thomas Ellis, Kelly Stern, Scott Ormond and Jimmy Bass also recorded wins to give the Bay a 6-2 lead after the singles.
Again the women's doubles were strong with both combinations of Stern and Debbie Williams and Johnson/Pontana winning.
But the more fancied men's combinations both lost which left Tostevin's troops 8-4 up after the doubles. Hawke's Bay required one mixed doubles win for the victory.
The No 4 combo of Angus Crawford and Johnson should have secured it but went down 22-20 in the third set.
The No 3 combo also lost and things weren't looking good when the No 2 combo of Ormond and Stern got thumped in their first set.
However, they won the next two sets to give the tie to Hawke's Bay and Ellis and Williams also won.
With this victory Hawke's Bay retain their mid table spot and have no relegation worries.
Wellington beat Hawke's Bay 12-3. Ellis and Stern both recorded singles wins.
Hawke's Bay's other win in this tie was recorded by the No 2 mixed doubles combo Stern and Phet Pontana.
Coach Tostevin said he was extremely happy with the results and a division win is a definite possibility if his side can be retained for a couple of seasons.
