Rotorua-Lynmore wary of young guns

Rotorua-Lynmore captain Shaun Tamai and his side will compete against hard hitters from St Peters on the weekend. PHOTO/FILE.

Defending champions Rotorua-Lynmore men's first team are aiming to finish the pre-Christmas season on a high.

The leaders take on St Peter's away tomorrow looking to maintain their unbeaten run so far in the 2016/17 Waikato Bay regional premier senior interclub tennis competition.

But Rotorua-Lynmore captain and No 1 Shaun Tamai said he was wary of "up and coming young guns" in the St Peter's squad and insisted his players must go for "big winning" shots on the day.

"I'm very pleased with how we're coming along but we certainly can't count our chickens just yet," Tamai said.

"And, to be honest, I don't really know what to expect from St Peter's. In the past they have always been very good and I know they have a very talented up and coming team.

"They will have big weapons on the day so we will have to come up with bigger shots to compete and bring an all around solid game."

Rotorua-Lynmore will be strengthened by the return of Sean Martin this weekend - joining Tamai, James Wilce and Jesse Galvin-Dawson with no travelling reserve.

"We have a very strong line-up, with a lot of experience. I have confidence this will give us the upper edge."

Meanwhile, the Rotorua-Lynmore men's second team, currently second on the table, face Lugton Park at home in a friendly.

"It's awesome that our young development side is doing so well," said Tamai.

"To have the top one and two places in the league shows the quality and depth there currently is in Rotorua tennis.

"We have the right culture going on at the club right now and I hope this continues in the future. Having the second team enables youngsters to rise up the ranks and play at a very competitive level. To be honest, the second team are the ones to watch in this comp, along with Hamilton."

Rotorua women will keep their winning streak intact and remain at the top of the table after Mount Maunganui defaulted this weekend's game.

This gives them five straight wins going into their last fixture against Tauranga Lawn on December 17 before the mid-season break.

Waikato Bay regional premier senior interclub competitions fixtures:

Premier Men:
Saturday, 1pm:

St Peter's v Rotorua-Lynmore 1, St Peter's, Hamilton.

Rotorua-Lynmore 2 v Lugton Park, Rotorua. (Friendly)

Hamilton v Whakatane, Hamilton.

Mount Maunganui Otumoetai v Cambridge Blue, Cambridge.

Premier Women:
Saturday, 1pm:

Rotorua v Mount Maunganui, Rotorua. (Mount defaulted - win to Rotorua)

Gate Pa v Tauranga Lawn, Gate Pa.