Tennis: Lakes likely to retain trophy

Southern Lakes is the strong favourite to retain the Rennie Trophy in the Southern Tennis League in Dunedin this weekend.

Strength throughout the order, with a mixture of talented youth and wily experience, has given the Lakes team clear wins in the league in recent seasons and left no doubt where the strength in the region lies.

The arrival of former South African world ranked player Lan Bale, and the transfer of former Otago No 1 Mark Milburn some years ago has lifted coaching in the area.

Several young players have gone on to represent their country or win national titles.

Ben McLachlan recently won an ITF title and played in the Australian junior open.

He is expected to play at No 1 this weekend and could provide a highlight for spectators.

With backup from former Australian professional Perry Crockett, who has won the Otago Open, and the experience of Bale, Milburn and Gota Ishii the men will be tough to crack.

Louise Oxnevad, the national junior teams event titleholder, and Suma Ito, provided she remains injury free, also look strong at the top of the order.

Lucy Robins, Adele Robins and Karen Mitchell complete the team.

Otago has been hard hit by the defection of Libby Scott, who is at a school camp, but gains student Heidi Blackburne from Canterbury.

Promising juniors complete the women's squad.

Hee Bum Chung makes his debut at this level, while the experience of Phil Mirfin and Jeff Elliotte will be helpful in doubles.

Southland has the ability to match Lakes in the top two men with Ollie Cuthill, back from a college scholarship, and Ryan Chow, who won the Otago Open last week.

However, the women's team may lack the firepower.

No 1 South Canterbury man, Canadian Tyler Begg ,was unlucky not to prevail last week and will be out to redeem himself, while the women's team, led by Gabrielle Grady, could beat other women's teams if the players are match fit.

The second division, made up of six teams, includes North Otago and B squads.