Veteran and team captain Johnny McHarg, Tim Meredith and Harry Weeds are confirmed starters for Saturday’s fixture, while the fourth slot should be filled by either Reece Falck or James Meredith, Canterbury’s top two singles players.
Falck is currently playing in Friday night’s Caro Bowl competition in Auckland, but McHarg is hopeful he will be back in time to play in Ashburton the following day.
“We will put out a very strong team given Country Ashburton are coming second to us and are playing some really good tennis,” McHarg said.
If Falck or Meredith are unavailable, Cashmere may rely on credible back-ups including 15-year-old Liam Barrett, who took rising Country Ashburton star Ben Smith to three sets when they last met.
In other sixth round matches, former Canterbury representative Simon Mooney is set to make a belated debut for champions Waimairi against Te Kura Hagley at Wilding Park after rain washed out last Friday’s play.
Elmwood, which has had to lean on division one players this season, will be hoping No 1 Elliot Darling is available along with Tom and Ed Batt plus Ben McGillivray when they take on a Shirley line-up spearheaded by No 1 Jamie Poole.
Both clubs are desperate to add to their solitary wins of a challenging campaign at Wilding Park.
In the women’s competition, unbeaten Te Kura Hagley take on third-ranked Cashmere-Burnside, where the No 1 match-up between Beth Williamson (Te Kura Hagley) Tessa McCann promises to be the focal point.
Abby Mason attempts to extend her unbeaten run for Elmwood when they take on title-holders Waimairi.
Points:
Men – Cashmere 62, Country Ashburton 46, Te Kura Hagley 44, Waimairi 39, Elmwood 31, Shirley 31.
Women – Te Kura Hagley 59, Waimairi 45, Cashmere-Burnside 39, Elmwood 28.
