Youth and experience to the fore

BY PENNY MILES

Lower Hutt veteran Julie Scott and Khandallah's teenage underdogs produced assured performances to send their clubs through to next weekend's pre- Christmas competition final.

Defending women's champions and top seeds Thorndon were humiliated by the Khandallah rookies, 4-2, at the Renouf Tennis Centre on Saturday.

Led by 18-year-old Hannah Seemann, Khandallah's schoolgirl quartet included Paige Hourigan, 12, Bridget Liddell, 14, and Maddy Young, 13.

Seemann said Khandallah's win was easily the highlight of her three years playing premier interclub. "It's a complete shock because our team is so young," Seemann said.

"I've just turned 18 and I'm the oldest. We're just really surprised to get through because the others are only 12, 13 and 14.

"They're all amazing for their age."

Khandallah rejoined the premier grade three years ago and this will be their first finals appearance. Their aim at the start of the season was to consolidate their place in the top women's grade.

Seemann hopes the result will further strengthen the club.

"I've been in it from the beginning [the last three years], and before that Khandallah didn't really have a top team. Hopefully it will mean young players will want to join the team when they're older."

Thorndon were without their No 1, Nicola Kaiwai, but still courted experience from Makere Bradnam, Carmel Meachen and Kimberley Kain. Lucy Francis played doubles only, while Bindi Thomas received the callup for the semis. Khandallah No 2, Daria Korobanova, was unavailable and Young moved into their side.

Khandallah gave notice with a 6-1 6-2 singles win to Liddell over Meachen in a rescheduled singles match last Friday.

Thorndon won the top doubles, but were upset in the second match by Hourigan and Liddell who outlasted Francis and Thomas in three sets.

Despite Khandallah's 2-1 lead heading into Saturday's singles, Thorndon were still favourites. Seemann beat Bradnam for the first time, rebounding from a slow start to win 1-6 6-1 6-3.

Khandallah No 2 Hourigan skilfully moved Kain around the court winning repeated points with drop shots. Hourigan's straight sets win left Khandallah with an unassailable 4-1.

Lower Hutt overwhelmed Wellington 5-1 to remain unbeaten following their win over Thorndon in round five. They last made the final in 2007.

Scott, 40, moved up to No 1 to fill in for Hannah Baxter.

Scott and Wellington No 1 Ashleigh Calder played a tight singles match which was tied up at 4-4 in the deciding set.

Scott's experience came to the fore as she produced a handful of sharp volleys. Calder, a powerful server, lost her composure in her last service game, handing the match to Scott with a double fault.

"It was a bit of a surprise. I haven't played Ashleigh before and I'd been hoping to get a set at the beginning," Scott said.

Lower Hutt No 3 Rachel Baxter was too consistent for Wellington's Alex Tully winning 6-3 6-2.

The men's last round games were cancelled due to rain. The final on Saturday will be between Thorndon and Wellington.

- © Fairfax NZ News