In the only division one match to be played at the weekend, Balmacewen proved too strong for Andersons Bay Guthrie, winning the tie 8-1.
Because both Logan Park and the Edgar Centre were being used for the Southern Junior Teams event, the match was played at the Balmacewen Tennis Club.
The match of the day was the number one men’s singles between Andersons Bay veteran Phil Mirfin and Balmacewen’s Jack Warner. It was the second time the two had met this season and just like the first time, the match went to a third set super tie break. Warner again prevailed, this time 7-6, 2-6, 10-6. Both players are natural serve and volleyers, which proved a good tactic in the windy conditions as it was very difficult for the players to build up any rhythm with their groundstrokes.
In the men’s second singles match, new Balmacewen recruit Alvaro Fuente proved too strong for Andersons Bay’s George Alexander, winning 6-3, 6-1. Fuente’s impressive all-court game and strong groundstrokes off both wings suggest he will be able to compete with any of our top players and will be a welcome addition to the premier competition.
Fuente comes from Spain and is the new Tennis Otago executive officer.
The men’s third singles had Balmacewen’s Nick Cutfield come through in straight sets against Andersons Bay’s Anthony Mirfin with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win.
In the women’s singles, Balmacewen’s Vera Goesmann playing had a very good 6-4, 6-0 win over the highly respected Heike Cebulla. Getting Anderson Bay’s only win of the day was Angela Fitzgerald in the number two singles who came home in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 over Ilana Goosens.
Sarah Stevenson, making her debut at this level, had a very impressive 6-3, 6-0 win over her significantly younger Andersons Bay opponent, Aleece Mulholland.
In the men’s doubles, Warner and Fuente put in a solid doubles performance in overcoming Phil Mirfin and Alexander 6-2, 6-2, while in the women’s doubles, Jessie Stevenson and Goesmann were emphatic in their 6-0, 6-3 defeat of Fitzgerald and Cebulla. The mixed doubles proved to be the closest doubles encounter with Cutfield and Stevenson coming through against Anthony Mirfin and Mulholland 6-3, 6-4.
There are only two rounds of division one interclub left for the season, and Balmacewen looks to have an unassailable lead in the round robin competition. The second round of the Tennis Southern senior teams event is being played in Dunedin next weekend so no club play will occur.
