Erin Connelly-Whyte – who is soon to head away to university – sends a serve down to her doubles opponents during her Hampstead team’s win over Methven last weekend. Photo Robyn HoodWith just two weeks’ worth of games left to play in the Mid Canterbury Tennis A grade competition, Tinwald are the team to beat.

Tinwald notched up a narrow 4-2 win over Southern last weekend to ensure they maintained their spot at the top of the table, while Fairton moved into second spot on the points table courtesy of an even narrower win over the team that took out the season’s first round, Allenton.

That tie finished drawn 3-all on matches and sets, with Fairton winning it on a countback of games.

Tinwald had headed into last weekend’s round with a four-point lead over both Fairton and Allenton, and by the end of that round they’d extended their lead to five points over Fairton, with Allenton a further two points back.

Today, things could get turned on their head though, with Tinwald set to take on Allenton.

If Tinwald wins, they are likely to maintain their spot at the top heading into the final round, but if Allenton won it could set up a mouth-watering final round with more than one team fighting it out for the title of the second round’s best.

The other two winning teams from last weekend will also face off today, with Fairton set to take on Hampstead.

Hampstead moved up one spot into fourth spot, just one point behind Allenton, courtesy of a 4-2 win over Methven last weekend.

Methven and Southern willmeet in today’s other encounter, with both battling to avoid the second round’s wooden spoon.

Meanwhile in A reserve action, the Allenton Kakapos are set to take on Hampstead, and the Allenton Weka will play the Methven Diamonds, with Southern/Wakanui having the bye.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 9 February 2019