Close call at top of Caro Bowl

It’s all tied up at the top of the Caro Bowl club tennis competition.

West End and Parnell both completed round robin play on Friday night on 45 points, with officials set to confirm the top qualifier after a set countback this week.

If West End had completed a clean sweep of Royal Oak, they could have had top spot to themselves.

But a calf strain to former Kiwi Davis Cup player Mark Nielsen meant he had to withdraw from his match against Andrew Allan, while all other matches were won in straight sets by West End.

Meanwhile Campbell Park secured third spot in their nine sets to six loss to Parnell.

The previously unbeaten Gustavo Gomez at No 1 for Campbell Park lost to Kiwi No 1 and top 300 ranked Dan King-Turner who won 6-3, 6-4.

It is unlikely King-Turner will be available for the semis or finals.

Blockhouse Bay beat Remuera 5-1 to finish in fourth place with Marcus Daniell, Jackson Bodle and Marco Comuzzo all winning in straight sets, while Pompallier pipped Kohimarama 4-2.

The women’s section already had Royal Oak as clear winners of round robin play on 44 points despite their final round bye, while Pompallier were defeated 6-0 by Kohimarama.

Royal Oak’s success this year has been built on the back of their two Canterbury-born teenagers Leela Beattie and Emily Fanning.

Beattie, 15, is all power, while Fanning, 14, has a graceful one-handed backhand.

In semi-final action on Friday night West End will face either Campbell Park or Blockhouse Bay, while the Royal Oak women clash with Remuera.

Points tables:

Men: Parnell 45, West End 45, Campbell Park 38, Blockhouse Bay 35, Royal Oak 21, Remuera 20, Pompallier 12, Kohimarama 7.

Women: Royal Oak 44, Kohimarama 34, Parnell 29, Remuera 22, Mission Bay 16, Glendowie 14, Pompallier 9.

- © Fairfax NZ News