Doubles match critical in top tie

IN CONTROL: Chad Parson is a key member of Masterton/Trinity side.PHOTO/FILE

COMPETITION leaders Opaki will have payback on their minds when they take on Gladstone/Carterton in the feature match of the Wairarapa Tennis regional one competition at Gladstone this weekend.

A model of consistency in the opening six rounds, Opaki have proved difficult to topple although Gladstone/Carterton did just that in a Friday night thriller at Opaki the last time the teams met. That victory spawned a mini winning streak for Gladstone/Carterton, who have now won their last three fixtures on the bounce.

Despite that, Opaki will still feel confident after laying waste to Martinborough 8-1 in their last outing.

The key to this fixture will be the personnel who turn up on the day. If Opaki have a near full-strength side for this encounter, they will take some beating as Gladstone/Carterton are known to be without Kelby Courtney, who has been in hot form in recent weeks.

This will allow the likes of Chris Davidson, Stu Wyeth and Jon McNab to strut their stuff lower down the order for the visitors, if they do indeed play.

The women's match-ups should be relatively even, although Opaki's Katie Alsop should have too many guns for a fast-improving Karen Herrick in the top rubber.

All going to plan, Opaki will be looking to have this fixture done and dusted by the completion of the singles as their doubles performances have been a bit wobbly. Gladstone/Carterton, on the other hand, have compiled their winning run on the back of their doubles combinations, and will be hoping they can do so again in this one. Opaki are tipped to take it out, albeit narrowly.

In the other fixture, Martinborough will be hoping history will repeat itself when they host Masterton/Trinity.

Martinborough's only win this season came at the expense of Masterton/Trinity in their previous encounter and, if they can put out a strong side, there is no reason why they can't chalk up a second win.

That being said, Masterton/Trinity have a lot more to play for as they are still in the hunt for the Shirley Corlett Trophy and they have some significant weapons in their arsenal. Jono Hurley, Luke Atkinson and Chad Parson are all No 1 players in their own right and, if they all play, Martinborough will have no hope.

Chances are they won't all play, however, and Martinborough will need to make every post a winner lower down the men's order and in the women's encounters. That could be a tall order given recent performances, so the visitors are hot favourites to take the spoils.

In regional two action, pace-setting Masterton 1 has the weekend off which will allow the chasing pack to gain some ground on the points table. One of those teams is Martinborough and they should have a decent battle with Opaki 3 while Opaki 1 is contention and should see off the challenge from Trinity 1. Other matches see Masterton 2 play host to Opaki 2, and Trinity 2 will be favourites to defeat Gladstone at St Matthews.