Provincial singles titles decided

Glen Cameron and Ella Sowman are the Marlborough residential singles champions.

They came out on top during the annual champs, which were staged at the Forrest Tennis Centre over the weekend.

Eight players contested the men’s draw, Glen getting the better of Stephen Dempster 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a three-set final. Earlier Glen had won his semi 6-3, 6-3 over Dan Clarke while Stephen accounted for Dan Riordan 6-2, 6-1.

Glen’s first round encounter with Clyde Sowman turned into a battle royal, the Rapaura club stalwart eventually progressing 5-7, 6-3, 10-8.

There were only four women in the female draw, which was played in a round robin format. Ella dominated almost completely, dropping only two games on her way to three comfortable wins.

Premier interclub  

Marlborough Forrest Wines continued on their merry winning way during the latest round of Wine Brokers NZ premier interclub tennis.

On Wednesday evening they accounted for Rapaura Wairau River Blanc 4-2 to maintain their recent run of success.

The singles matches were shared. Marlborough’s Hamish Morrow was in superb form to down Ant Walkenhorst 6-2, 6-2 in the battle of the No 1 men, while Chris Nott beat Clyde Sowman 6-3, 6-3 in the No 2 match. However, Rapaura quickly levelled the score, Jared Bell downing Stephen Dempster 6-4, 6-3 and Eveline Apthorp beating Amber Lyons 7-5, 6-3.

Morrow and Nott combined to edge past Walkenhorst and Sowman 7-6, 7-6, then Lyons and Dempster won the evening’s pivotal match, overcoming Bell and Apthorp 5-7, 7-6, 10-6 to swing the tie Marlborough’s way.

The other division one match went the way of Renwick, who downed Rapaura Wairau River Noir 4-2.

Renwick’s victory was set up in the singles, Cameron Lyons and Mieko Kimura beating Hamish McRae and Lilly Walkenhorst respectively, then Darin Herd scoring a hard-fought 6-7, 6-1, 10-7 victory over Glen Cameron.

A win to Herd and Kimura in the mixed was enough to secure the overall tie for the Renwick combination, who have struggled for success this season.

In division two, the Marlborough Nga Hau Wha team maintained their winning streak with a 4-2 win over Renwick Jana, Jaco van Hensbergen and Koos Richter going unbeaten for the victors.

The other match saw Rapaura Wairau River Rose account for Marlborough Next Gen, also 4-2.

Hiro Kishida and Brayden Shanks scored wins in both singles and doubles to set up the victory.

Dan Clarke and Jimmy Rumble fought out a tight men’s No 1 singles encounter, Clarke eventually prevailing 6-0, 2-6, 10-8.