New Zealand Tennis Champions - Both Girls and Boys
New Zealand Tennis Champions - Both Girls and Boys
March 30, 2021 at 12:52 PM
In a double victory last week, both the Premier Girls’ and Premier Boys’ Tennis teams won New Zealand Secondary Schools Tennis Championship titles!
After the disappointment of the cancellation of the 2020 championships during last year’s lockdown, our Saint Kentigern College tennis teams were really looking forward to the opportunity to compete this year at the national championships held at the Scarbro Tennis Centre in Auckland. Once again, Saint Kentigern had qualified with a team in each division – girls, boys and mixed teams – the only school to do so.
In perfect playing conditions all week, the mixed team had some great games but it proved a tough competition and after some demanding play, they finished in 4th place.
Likewise, the girls’ and boys’ teams faced some stiff opposition and with the year hiatus in competition play, they were keen to demonstrate their skills on court. The Premier Girls had a very close game with St Margaret’s, drawing in both games and sets. Going into to face Queen Margaret’s, they needed an outright win to confirm the title. The girls were up 3-1 after the singles, then played some gutsy doubles to win both events and claim the title.
The boys were title holders from 2018 and 2019, so were favourites and the top seeds going into competition so they had the added pressure of defending Saint Kentigern’s title. They certainly stepped up to the mark, beating Westlake Boys, King’s and Christ’s College 6-0, New Plymouth Boys 5-1 and then the final match against Wellington College 5-1.
Well done to these teams on an outstanding result. But the season hasn’t yet finished for our top players. Over the next two weeks they continue with the Auckland teams competition, the semi-finals and Individual Champs of Champs competition. The weather isn’t looking hopeful for this but we wish our players all the best for this next round of competition!
Premier Girls Tennis Team: Bridget Han, Becca Clements, Aimee Brown, Mahina Warren, Emma Anderson
Premier Boys Tennis Team: Alex Mirkov, Jake Riordan, James McPherson, Lev Gorb, Dawson Parekowhai-Lage
