Maungaraki teeter despite Waite’s win
A strong performance from 18-year-old Louise Waite was not enough to boost Maungaraki to a win against Lower Hutt in Wellington women’s premier interclub action on Saturday.
Maungaraki are teetering on the edge of relegation after the 5-1 loss, while Lower Hutt can now breathe a sigh of relief.
On Saturday, Waite was up against 27-year-old Amelia Harris and fought hard for a straight sets victory.
Waite had been in dazzling form recently, climbing the rankings to New Zealand No 20 and making the semifinals of the Waikato Thames Valley 18 & Under ITF Championships last month.
But it was Harris who made the stronger start by breaking serve in the opening game.
In windy conditions the hardhitting left-hander was making clean contact early and showing her experience.
But Waite managed to stay in some of the longer rallies, forcing Harris to play an extra shot and winning some crucial points.
Unforced errors began to creep into Harris’ game as the first set progressed and Waite pounced.
The pair traded breaks again and the opening set went to a tiebreak.
Waite jumped to an early lead in the tie-break, going up 5-0 and closing out the first set 7-6 (7-1).
Harris looked to avenge her first set loss, breaking early and surging to a 3-0 lead in the second.
But Waite’s big strides and wide swings of proved too much for her older opponent.
Winners became abundant for Waite in the second and she took the set 6-4 to close it out.
Khandallah have one hand on the title after beating Paraparaumu 4-2 in a top of the table clash, winning three of the four singles matches.
Tawa and Wellington look to be safe from relegation after crucial wins. Tawa beat Pukerua Bay 4-2 and Wellington pipped Thorndon on a countback after the six matches were shared.
In the men’s competition Khandallah took a narrow victory over Thorndon in a top of the table clash.
Both teams were without their No 1 players and it was Khandallah who took the tie on set difference.
Miramar produced their second successive 6-0 victory over Karori and now trail Thorndon by just two points.
Wellington also took home maximum points over Maungaraki, who look sure to be relegated when post-Christmas play commences.
Only three points separate the top four men’s teams with two weeks of the competition remaining.