Caro Bowl Tennis Battles The Weather

Torrential rain provided a fortuitous start to round one of the Scarbro Caro Bowl tennis competition but didn’t stop the odd upset and a few stars from taking the court.

Despite having a team of former or active professional players 2009 men’s favourites West End had to fight hard to gain a 4-2 win over Remuera.

Former Davis Cup player James Shortall was back in the Remuera team for the first time since helping them win the title in 1997 and duly preformed beating current Davis Cup team member, Oliver Statham in straight sets in the top singles.

Shortall also teamed with Martin Colenbrander to defeat Statham and Davis Cup captain, James Greenhalgh in three tight sets in the No1 doubles.

The remaining matches had the West End former Davis Cup lineup of Adam Thompson, Mark Nielsen and Teo Susnjak wining in straight sets.

Defending champs Parnell beat Kohimarama 6-0 without too much effort but now host West End in a reply of last seasons final where both teams will be aiming for one-upmanship and a key victory in front of what should be a big crowd too.

The strong Campbell Park side led by two Argentines, Gustavo Gomez and Mariano Pettirosso beat a weakened Pompallier 6-0, not dropping a set in the process. Campbell Park are at home against Royal Oak in round two.

Blockhouse Bay accounted for Royal Oak 4-2 with Kiwi No4 Marcus Daniell winning in straight sets over former Chinese Davis Cup player Wei Wei. The ever-reliable Andrew Allan gained both of the points for Royal Oak winning at No2 over Jackson Bodle and teaming with Scott Winnard for the second doubles.

In the other round two matches Kohimarama have a chance to gain their first points when they play Remuera at Kohi while Blockhouse Bay will be looking for another win when they host Pompallier.

In the women’s competition defending champs Parnell lost to Royal Oak in appalling conditions 2-4. Canterbury teenagers Leela Beattie and Emily Fanning showing plenty of potential for Royal Oak. Beattie won in three sets over Pavlina Nola while Fanning, 14 lost in three sets to Rewa Harriman(nee Hudson). However the youngsters showed resolve to win the doubles over Nola and Harriman in three sets. Veterans of Caro Bowl Angela Swinkels and Rachel Dive cleaned up the bottom singles and doubles for Royal Oak. The Oak now play at home against the young Mission Bay side.

In other women’s matches Kohimarama dispatched Remuera easily and will now play away to near neighbours Glendowieand Pompallier caused a minor surprise as they defeated Glendowie 4-2. Mission Bay had the bye in the seven-team women’s competition.

The other round two match up has Remuera looking to avenge their first round loss when they are at home against Pompallier. Parnell have the bye.

Scarbro Caro Bowl tennis, Auckland.

Men’s round 1 results:

Campbell Park 6 Pompallier 0

Gustavo Gomez bt Jordan Kelly-Houston 6-3 6-2

Mariano Pettiroso bt Ari Davis 6-1 6-1

Robert Cheyne bt Matt Brady 6-3 7-5

Barrett Franks bt Gideon Brink default

Gomez/Pettirosso bt Kelly-Houston/Brink 7-5 6-2

West End 4 Remuera 2

Oliver Statham lt James Shortall 4-6 4-6

Adam Thompson bt Martin Colenbrander 6-3 6-4

Mark Nielsen bt James Pilbro 6-1 6-3

Teo Susnjak bt Nigel Espie 6-1 6-3

Statham/James Greenhalgh lt Shortall/Colenbrander 6-7 7-6 5-7

Nielsen/Thompson bt Henry Gers/Gareth Dowdell 6-3 6-3

Blockhouse Bay 4 Royal Oak 2

Marcus Daniell bt Wei Wei 6-4 6-3

Jackson Bodle lt Andrew Allan 2-6 0-6

Marc Paulik bt Trenet O’Keeffe 6-4 2-6 6-2

Marco Comuzzo bt Bryce Hayr 6-7 6-2 6-3

Daniell/Eru Lyndon bt Wei Wei/O’Keeffe 3-6 7-5 6-2

Bodle/Paulik lt Allan/Scott Winnard 6-3 6-4

Parnell 6 Kohimarama 0

Women:

Royal Oak 5 Parnell 1

Leela Beattie bt Pavlina Nola 6-7 66-1 7-6

Emily Fanning lt Rewa Harriman 3-6 7-6 5-7

Angela Swinkels bt Julie Scott 6-1 6-0

Rachel Dive bt Ana Corbett 6-2 6-0

Leela Beattie/Emily Fanning bt Rewa Hariman/Nola 4-6 6-4 6-4

Swinkels/Dive bt Scott/Corbet 7-6 6-2

Kohimarama 6 Remuera 0

Pompallier 4 Glendowie 2

Women’s Round two – Friday 2 October, home teams listed first – 6pm start times

Glendowie v Kohimara,

Remuera v Pompallier,

Royal Oak v Mission Bay.

Men’s Round two – Friday 2 October, home teams listed first – 6pm start times

Blockhouse Bay v Pompallier,

Kohimarama v Remuera,

Parnell v West End,

Campbell Park v Royal Oak.