Rolleston-Killinchy move up after win

Rolleston-Killinchy No 1 Nathan McKenzie, seen here playing last month, won all three of his...
Rolleston-Killinchy No 1 Nathan McKenzie, seen here playing last month, won all three of his matches as his team beat Kirwee-Springston 10-6 on Saturday. Photo: Supplied
Rolleston-Killinchy moved into second on the Canterbury country premier tennis ladder after a 10 matches to six win over Kirwee-Springston on Saturday.

West Melton will go into the Christmas break undefeated after four rounds after they swept aside Prebbleton-Lincoln 13 matches to three, while Tai Tapu had to default to Fernside due to a lack of players,

Ellesmere Tennis president Jason McKenzie said he was surprised by the ease of West Melton's win, given how competitive Prebbleton-Lincoln had been during the second phase of the season.

"It goes to show just how strong West Melton is this year," he said.

"Even with players away they still find ways to win."

It was Rolleston-Killinchy's women's singles trio of Lyndsay Dick, Mel Williams and Marika Templeman which turned the contest in their team's favour.

With teammate Zoe Gilmore struggling with a calf issue, the trio won each of their singles game after the men's singles had been split 2-2.

Rolleston-Killinchy men's No 1 Nathan McKenzie also had a strong day, winning his singles encounter against Dave Ashton 9-0 and then also winning his doubles and mixed doubles encounter.

West Melton No 1 Luke Tanner was away at the nationals in Auckland, but the competition favourites welcomed home Grayson Cullen

"Grayson has been over in America playing tennis on scholarship and is back for the Christmas break," McKenzie said.

Cullen has been playing his tennis in Kentucky.

"He's a very handy player to call in with Luke away. In many respects, West Melton lose nothing with him in the team."

He was able to play with younger brother Blake for the day.

West Melton won all four men's singles with Grayson adding a doubles and mixed doubles victory for good measure.

The West Melton men did not lose a match all day as they underlined their title credentials for later in the season.

The competition now takes a break for the holiday period and will re-start on January 25 for round five.