Triumph over Taranaki as Christie Cup returns

OPINION: Another trophy landed in Palmerston North at the weekend when the Manawatu representative tennis team beat arch-rival Taranaki for the Christie Cup in New Plymouth.

Manawatu last held the cup in 2003 but has since been unable to get it back after narrow losses or draws with Taranaki. Team member Kurt McNamara put the win into perspective when he said he hated losing to Taranaki more than any other team.

McNamara and mixed doubles partner Oki Toa had thought any chance of winning the cup had gone until captain Sam Howard had come over and said the fate of the cup was on their shoulders.

At 4-1 down in the final set, they came up with a remarkable comeback to win 7-5. Manawatu rugby player Aaron Cruden seems to be the national media's pin-up boy of the moment.

The Hurricanes first five-eighth is featured everywhere, and gets on the cover of magazine, New Zealand Rugby World in the February-March issue.

In a unique marketing tactic, the magazine has printed five versions with different players on each cover, one for each franchise.

Cruden is the cover boy for the Hurricanes region. The others are Keven Mealamu (Blues), Richard Kahui (Chiefs), Robbie Fruean (Crusaders) and Robbie Robinson (Highlanders).It was akin to sailing a boat without a rudder or riding a horse with no reins.

The bowlers battling the wind gusts in the semifinals of the Manawatu men's open singles at Terrace End on Saturday showed why they should be part of this column.

Terrace End's Brian Looker and Bulls' Scotty McGavin could only stand back and laugh at what happened to their bowls. Straight-liners would be pushed right off the rink and even the jack at times had to be replaced.

In the other semifinal, Takaro's Barry Wynks and Ross Ellery had similar frustrations and the decision to hold play be held over until Sunday was one everyone, players and spectators, agreed with.

The Manfeild people were relieved the gale-force winds of Saturday had dissipated yesterday.

They would've played havoc with their biggest motor-racing day of the year. On Saturday tents were set to fly and a few were tied down to trucks as nasty gusts ravaged the circuit.

Powerboat racing was cancelled at Foxton and a huge branch at the Manawatu Golf Club was too close to one player for comfort.The Wellington Phoenix soccer side that played YoungHeart Manawatu pre-season, as well as losing to Sydney FC at FMG Stadium, don't in the least resemble the team which finished fourth in the A League.

With mostly the same players, the Phoenix back then couldn't score a goal and their defence looked average. The Phoenix of recent weeks, with probably the best player to play in New Zealand in Paul Ifill, score plenty of goals and defensively they're tight.

Incredibly they've now gone 16 games unbeaten at the Cake Tin, their only home loss was 1-0 at Arena Manawatu! Not our fault!

- © Fairfax NZ News