Kina Country tennis

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 272, 31 January 1989, Page 16

Kina Country tennis

Entries for the annual Southern King Country tennis championships close tomorrow with organisers confirming the event has attracted excellent sponsorship.

Secretary of the association, Mrs Mary Anne Gill, said that thanks to an early season grant from the Trustbank Waikato and free Slazenger balls arranged through Arcade Sports, the event should provide com-' petitors with plenty of reason to battle hard. The champs will get underway on Saturday February 4 at 9am with many local male players being asked to play their first rou'nd matches the previous evening. As in past years, competitors from outside the district, specifically those from northern King Country and the Waimarino are welcome to participate. For the first time in many years there will be a B grade, or social event, for those competitors who have never played inter-club. This was prompted by the tremendous interest in business house tennis in Taumarunui where nearly 100 people, who had never been sighted pitting their skills at in-ter-club level, still found much to enthuse about in the more social atmosphere. Champion for the past two seasons, Rod Gill, has confirmed his entry and he should once again be hard to

beat. His main opponents at this stage appear to be Mike Cadogan and Craig Burnand. In the woman's event, Di Malpass looks to be the

favourite following news of Mary-Anne's unavailability for work reasons. Rod and Milee look the ones to beat in the men's doublcs while Rod will combine with Sue Tumai in the mixed and will probably face keen competition from defending champions,

Bob and Rosanne Wickham. Entry forms can be obtained from the secretary Southern K.C.L.T.A., 17 Puketapu Crescent, Taumarunui or from the Taumarunui Gazette, Waimarino Bulletin or Waitomo New offices.