Tennis front-runners stretch away from rivals

Marlborough Forrest Wines Whero are setting a torrid pace at the front of the Wine Brokers NZ premier interclub tennis competition.

The unbeaten combination scored their fourth win on Wednesday, week four of the annual competition.  Whero accounted for Marlborough club rivals, Marlborough Forrest Wines Ma 5-1, losing just one singles match.

The doubles were both won by Whero, but in contrasting styles. In the No 1 double Chris Nott and Dan Clarke beat Koos Richter and Sebastian On 6-3, 6-3, while Mieko Kimura and Josh Harris were forced to dig deep to overcome Anna Simpson and Jaco van Hensbergen 6-3, 3-6, 10-1.

Harris, Nott and Kimura scored straight set singles wins, while On bagged Ma’s point with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Clarke.

In the other clash, another club derby, Rapaura Wairau River Blanc came out on top of Rapaura Wairau River Noir 4-2.

All matches were decided in two sets, Blanc getting an early 2-0 edge in the doubles. Jared Bell and Stu Campbell beat Ella Sowman and Glen Cameron 6-1, 6-4, then Clyde Sowman and Heidi Stenhouse-Allen downed Eveline Apthorp van der Linden and Max Sowman 6-1, 6-2.

The singles were shared 2-2, Bell beating Ella Sowman 6-1, 7-6 and Stenhouse-Allen prevailing over Apthorp van der Linden 6-1, 6-3 to ensure Blanc came out on top.

Noir’s points came from Cameron, who beat Campbell 6-1, 6-1, and Max Sowman who eclipsed Clyde Sowman 6-4, 6-2 to secure family boasting rights.

President’s grade

Results from Tuesday.

Division 1: Marlborough Power 0 Rapaura Just Move 4; Renwick Racketeers 3 Rapaura Masters 1; Renwick Four Strung 0 Marlborough Chilli 4; Rapaura Wairau River 2 (28) Renwick Netsetters 2 (32).

Division 2: Renwick Rookies 2 (32) Marlborough Volleyeurs 2 (26); Rapaura Matador 2 (25) Rapaura Pinot 2 (30); Rapaura Mavericks 4 Renwick Miss Hits 0; Marlborough Swallows 3 Marlb. Tennis the Menace 1.

Division 3: Renwick Rebels 0 Renwick Re-strung 4; Renwick Racquets 2 (26) Renwick Raptors 2 (26); Renwick BTL 1 Grovetown Grove Tavern Turf & Tackle 3; Renwick Chardonnay 1 Rapaura Floorpride Interiors 3.

Division 4: Rapaura Spring Creek 4 Square Renwick Rascals 0; Rapaura Syrah 0 Rapaura Hākinakina 4; Rapaura Shiraz 3 Grovetown Grove Tavern Platters 1.