Wanganui finally relinquish Christie Cup

Patrice Mathey

It was so nearly the longest streak in Christie Cup tennis, but Wanganui's hopes of making it a record fifth consecutive year with the silverware ended with the narrowest of defeats in a 13-11 loss to Manawatu at the Basset St courts last weekend.

Wanganui had to say goodbye to several of their stars and cup stalwarts such as cousins Kyle Butters and Paige Hourigan, who had returned to their American colleges since returning to help their home province defeat Taranaki 16-8 in December.

It was part of an unfortunate exodus where only a handful of the original squad of 14 who beat Taranaki were able to play.

Nonetheless, Wanganui were still in it when they trailed after the singles matches by 7-5, while then splitting the doubles games 3-3, bringing everything down to the mixed doubles at the end of the day.

Out of the 24 games, Wanganui only needed to win 12 for a draw and therefore retaining the Cup - which is what happened in last year's fixture with Manawatu down in Palmerston North.

It came down to the very last matchup between veteran men's player Patrice Mathey and first year Christie Cup player Ngakuira Osborne, taking on Manawatu's Gareth Toland and No1 women's player Charlotte Williams.

Wanganui won the first set 6-4, but then history slipped from their fingers when Toland and Williams claimed the next two sets 6-2 to get the 13th win and claim the trophy for the first time since 2012 when Manawatu lost it to Taranaki.

They were able to out-rally the local team in the final two sets.

Manawatu will now accept a challenge from Taranaki on March 5 before they can get their name etched on the silverware for 2016-17.

Professional coach Kurt McNamara had originally considered joining the Wanganui representative team, but ultimately decided to remain neutral as he coaches youth in both Wanganui and Palmerston North.

He said Wanganui would definitely have been able to retain the Cup if they had a few more regulars available, instead struggling for numbers.

The prospect of the Cup departing this summer was considered due to the departure of so many talented teenagers who formed the backbone of the Cup defences since Wanganui upset Taranaki in November 2012 - ending a 50 year drought without the Central Districts team trophy.

The return in the holidays of Butters, Hourigan and others to play Taranaki in December proved a temporary reprieve.