Rotokare determined to stay on top

In another exciting weekend of tennis in Taranaki, Soffe Cup leaders Rotokare will visit Pukekura determined to secure their spot at the top of the points table.

It won’t be an easy job as Pukekura have been a competitive team fuelled by last week’s win against Huatoki.

Rotokare have a solid list of men to choose from, including Will Roberts, Caleb Fleming,

Blair Crowley, Luke De Villers, and the young Oliver Kerr, who has an impressive record winning all his matches so far this season.

On the women’s side, Rotokare are strong too. However, if Pukekura’s Derryn Fleming and Tenzin Joe are available to play for the first time this season, it will be a close battle.

Stratford are hosting Huatoki in what is expected to be a tight confrontation with both teams in need of points to stay in the fight for a spot in the semifinals.

Doubles combinations could be the difference between winning and losing, so captains will play a key role in selecting mixtures.

On the singles side, it is expected that Stratford’s Callum Old and Dave White will play Huatoki’s Alistair Nairn and Luis Silva.

Stratford’s women lineup should include Courtney Tippett, Nicole Kowalewski, Kristen Lourie and Marianne Drummond.

Huatoki are hoping to have

Jae Laurence back in action to team up with Chris Wilson, Hannah Siffleet and the young prospect Sasha Maclean.

Back in New Plymouth, Waiwaka are playing against the strong Okaiawa, who are also aiming to take the lead of the competition.

If Okaiawa’s men can perform at their best, then it will be a hard day at the office for Waiwaka.

The Sumpter Trophy will see Huatoki playing Okaiawa at home, Oakura visiting Hāwera and Rotokare hosting Stratford.

Pukekura have been a competitive team fuelled by last week’s win against Huatoki.