Tennis: Rotorua outclass Whakatane

Rotorua's Jesse Galvin-Dawson fires back a forehand during his team's grand final victory against Whakatane on Saturday. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

THE Rotorua men's tennis team have turned on a masterclass when it mattered most, smashing Whakatane in their home final 6-0.

The final of the Waikato Bays premier men's inter-club competition was staged on Saturday at the Rotorua Tennis Club between the two Bay of Plenty sides.

The home side were eyeing back-to-back titles heading into the final after they won the inaugural competition last year. They not only achieved that goal but looked good doing it, winning both doubles matches and all four singles matches to take the final 6-0.

"It was a fantastic day from the boys, they were unstoppable," team captain Shaun Tamai said.

"Everyone was just on their game."

The defending champions also won their semifinal 6-0 a fortnight ago.

"I think this title is a bit more special than last year," Tamai said.

"There was a lot more pressure on us this season to win it, and do the double, and to do it in such a convincing manner we are over the moon."

He said another big crowd turned out to support them during the final, and he thanked all the spectators for coming along to help spur them on.

"It was pretty amazing with the support. It was absolutely pumping with the music going, the barbecues going, it was a great atmosphere," he said.

"And it was great to see some of the older members and players, who used to be part of the club, come back to the club and watch. It was very humbling to play in their presence actually. It helped us play our hearts out."