Strong team for cup defence
Manawatu have beefed up their men’s lineup for their defence of the Christie Cup against Taranaki tomorrow.
Victor Romero and Kurt Mcnamara both come in for their match against Taranaki at Manawatu Lawn Tennis Club, boosting what was already a solid men’s lineup.
If Manawatu beat Taranaki or they draw, Manawatu will keep the cup until next summer.
Manawatu are in form after they beat Wanganui 13-11 to win the Christie Cup two weeks ago, the first time Manawatu has held the trophy in five years.
But both Mcnamara and Romero, who didn’t play against Wanganui, made themselves available to play this weekend.
Romero, who moved to Auckland in the winter, played all of
Manawatu’s rep fixtures last summer, but Mcnamara hasn’t played for Manawatu in three seasons.
That makes Manawatu stronger down the order, with young guns Kieren Rooney and Kurt Amey shifting down to No 3 and No 4 respectively, with Benedict Grant and Jono Spring making up the rest of the team.
Gareth Toland will stay in the side as a specialist doubles player.
The Manawatu women’s team is unchanged from the win over Wanganui, except Natalie Dean has come in as a specialist doubles player.
Charlotte Williams keeps her place at No 1, with Ella Wells at No 2 and Bridget Dickins, who won all of her matches against Wanganui, stays at No 3.
Manawatu will need to play well though, with Taranaki bringing a strong team for the challenge, including New Zealand under-18 champion Ajeet Rai, who is their No 1 male.
The women have top junior Louise Waite at No 1.
Play starts at 10.30am with the singles, moving on to doubles, then mixed doubles.