Wairarapa boosted their chances of lifting the Christie Cup when they defeated Wanganui 15-9 in a senior representative tennis match played at Martinborough on Sunday. The Christie Cup is the symbol of supremacy in the central districts region and is held by Taranaki, which will be defending the trophy when theyplay Wairarapa at Hawera on March 4. Taranaki are a powerful all-round side but with Wanganui holding them to 12-12 earlier in the season the latest Wairarapa success has hinted at them having better than an outside chance of victory , at the very least. Wairarapa selector Steve Hurley placed the onus fairly and squarely on his men to play a dominant role against Wanganui and he was delighted with the way they answered that challenge. Wairarapa won five of the six men's singles and had an advantage in the men's doubles and combined doubles as well. "It's crucial for the men to have the upper hand at this level and, quite frankly, we had been a bit disappointing there before Sunday," he said. "They needed to stand up and be counted and they responded really well. Their influence in the combines was just what we wanted, and that's the way it has to be" Wanganui fielded a powerful women's line-up and Hurley was not too surprised that the only winner there for Wairarapa was Rhona Lovell, who was called into the side at late notice and actually finished the day with three wins in as many matches.
