Defending champions Pirinoa might find Gladstone a handful when matches in the Wairarapa Tennis Association's regional one inter-club competition gets under way tomorrow. On last year's results this game at Pirinoa should be pretty much one-way traffic, with the home team calling the tune, but appearances could be very deceiving inthis case. Gladstone have acquired the services of two of the region's most promising talents in Baden Stevenson and Emma Stevenson, both of whom played in Wellington last year, and their presence should guarantee they will be competitive against any opposition. Alister McWilliam, Chris Schofield, Peter Morris and Bruce Patrick are others who will aid the Gladstone cause. From all accounts Pirinoa could be missing Mike Jackson and Tim Pickering this season but in Luke Atkinson, Geoff Janse and Scott McDonald they still have handy depth in their men's section. And with Leanne Sweeney, Natasha Robinson and Tracey Thurston sharing the duties they will a force to be reckoned with among the women as well. Carterton and Masterton will meet at Carterton tomorrow. Probable starters for Carterton include Cory Spooner, Liam McMenamin, Ted Rotman, Judy Murrell and Cathy Rolls while Masterton are expected to have Steve Hurley, Matt Bunny, Nigel Tomlin and Ashleigh Gane in their line-up. Last year's beaten finalists Martinborough will front up to Opaki at Opaki. Martinborough have no shortage of players with Marco de Groot, Steve Chapman, Dan Nicholson, Kevin Haunui and James Blundell competing for positions in their men's section and any two of Libby Paterson, Carla Didsbury, Jan Lankow and Natalie Donaldson making up their women's section. An ex-Thorndon player from Wellington in Matt Stewart has joined up with Opaki where he will be joined by the likes of Russell Broughton, Brett Dymond, Stu Wyeth, Ben Campbell, Katie Wyeth and Jan Wyeth.
