Top three spot definitechance for Wairarapa

A TOP three placing is a definite possibility for Wairarapa at the annual six-team tennis tournament being played at Massey University, Palmerston North over the weekend, despite an unkind draw.
Having the bye on Sunday afternoon means that Wairarapa have to play four matches in succession and, what's more, their opening game tonight is against tournament favourites Wellington.
Then they will play Hutt Valley tomorrow morning, Kapi Mana tomorrow afternoon and Manawatu on Sunday morning.
It's a testing schedule by any standards but Wairarapa selector Steve Hurley is still "very optimistic" his side will improve substantially on last year's effort when they tailed the field home.
"I'd like to think we could make the top three, if everything goes according to plan we can place that high,' he said..
News that a player ranked amongst the top 30 in the country, former Rathkeale College student Marcus Daniell, would be available to play at the top of the men's singles for Wairarapa was a major boost to their prospects.
Daniell, who these days attends St Kentigern's College in Auckland, has blossomed into an outstanding exponent of singles and doubles play and Wairarapa will be anticipating him winning most of his matches in both disciplines.
His inclusion means that Jono Hurley, who is the usual No.1 for Wairarapa will drop one place this time round, and that too should be of huge benefit to the side as he should be very competive there.
Hurley, of course, plays his inter-club tennis in Wellington, as does the No.3 in the men's singles for Wairarapa this weekend, Baden Stevenson, a talented youngster who actually has a win over Hurley to his credit in the capital.
Word is that Stevenson has sharpened his game markedly since playing for Opaki last season and his performances will be noted with special interest.
The other men's singles spot for Wairarapa will be shared amongst five players, all of whom have been in grand form at club level and all of whom are experienced campaigners on the representative scene. They are Pirinoa trio Geoff Janse, Mike Jackson and Luke Atkinson, Opaki's Russell Broughton and Masterton's Geoff McKay.
Those players not involved in the singles are still likely to get plenty of game time though as selector Hurley intends to make full use of a rule which allows for the personnel in the doubles to be different from that in the singles.
Past history shows that Wairarapa have struggled to some degree on the score of fitness and Hurley believes the more rest he can give players the better for the side.
"Playing four singles in such a short period of time is tough going so it makes sense to give the players every chance to produce their best form in every game," he said.
The women's section of the Wairarapa line-up does not have the experience of that of the men but they should still hold their own against most opposition.
The singles order is likely to have Katie Wyeth (Opaki) at one, Ashleigh Gane (Masterton) at two and Leanne Sweeney (Pirinoa) at three with the fourth spot a toss up between St Matthews Collegiate duo Rosie Aitkenhead and Charlotte Meo, Natasha Robinson (Pirinoa) and Bridget Needham (Opaki).
Wyeth has been in fine form on the club scene and just might be the surprise packet in the No.1 position while the return of former Central Districts representative Sweeney is a definite plus.