Tennis leaders stretch advantage

Marlborough Forrest Wines continued their rise up the premier tennis ladder with a 5-1 victory over Renwick on Wednesday evening.

Despite the one-sided scoreline this was a close encounter marked by a couple of pivotal matches.

Marlborough’s Amber Lyons battled to a 6-0, 3-6, 10-7 victory over Mieko Kimura to give the victors a precious point in the singles, while Hamish Morrow and Chris Nott came out on top of a 6-1, 3-6, 12-10 thriller against Renwick’s Joseph Sandford-Jury and Darin Herd to bag another point.

Morrow scored a 6-1, 6-1 win over Sandford-Jury in the top men’s singles, with Herd beating Nott 6-2, 6-3 to even the ledger. Stephen Dempster scored a 6-4, 6-2 win over Renwick’s Stu Campbell then teamed with Lyons to claim a vital mixed doubles victory over Campbell and Kimura.

In the other division one tie, Rapaura Wairau River Blanc came out on top in their derby clash with Rapaura Wairau River Noir at the country venue, prevailing 4-2.

Most of the games were clear cut, although the top men’s singles was a tight affair, Cameron Lyons claiming victory over Ant Walkenhorst for the second consecutive week, this time on grass. The scoreline was 3-6, 6-2, 10-5.

Three singles wins set up Blanc’s overall victory, Clyde Sowman beating Hugh Robinson by default, Jared Bell downing Ella Sowman and Eveline Apthorp getting the better of Lilly Walkenhorst.

Robinson and Lyons picked up a consolation win in the men’s double, beating Ant Walkenhorst and Bell 6-1, 6-1.

Only one match was played in the division two competition, Renwick defaulting to Rapaura Wairau River Rose.

In the other tie, Marlborough Nga Hau Wha defeated Marlborough Next Gen 5-1.

The Nga Hau Wha team of Koos Richter, Josh Joseph, Ivan Fedoryshchev and Ben Preece played well across the board to dominate proceedings, with Lauren Fisher’s singles win the bright spot for Next Gen.

President’s grade

WK+ Presidents Grade results from Tuesday:

Division 1: Rapaura Masters 3 Rapaura Wairau River 1; Rapaura Just Move 2 (25) Marlborough Chilli 2 (30); Rapaura River Rats 2 (28) Renwick Netsetters 2 (28); Marlborough Power 4 Renwick Racketeers 0.

Division 2: Rapaura Pinot 4 Marlborough Swallows 0; Renwick Mighty Four 1 MTC Roger Townley Construction 3; Marlborough Volleyeurs 4 Marlborough Tennis the Menace 0; Rapaura Newhawkes 1 Renwick Rookies 3.

Division 3: Rapaura Chardonnay 2 (30) Renwick Restrung 2 (25); Rapaura Matador 2 (30) Renwick Miss Hits 2 (26); Renwick Rebels 3 MTC Boom Boom Time 1.

Division 4: Rapaura Syrah 0 Renwick Racquets 4; Rapaura Shiraz 4 Renwick Rascals 0; Grovetown Grove Tavern Platters 2 (27) Grovetown Grove Tavern Turf & Tackle 2 (27).