Carterton dominated the singles to move to the brink of making the Gawith Shield final with a 6–3 win over Ōpaki in the second-to-last fixture of Wairarapa Regional One Interclub on Saturday.
Carterton won five of the six singles matches to wrap up the tie after the singles and won a crucial women’s doubles to give them a four-point advantage over Ōpaki.
Johnty Tatham was taken to three sets by Chris Davidson before prevailing 6–3 3–6 6–3; Troy Crout came back from a set down to beat Duncan Oakley 1–6 6–2 6–4, Zachary Chang held on for a 7–6 6–3 win over Mike Jackson, Olivia Orsborn won a tight two-setter with Tori Bunny 7–5 6–4, and Laura Crawford was too good for Belinda Day, winning 6–1 6–2.
Ōpaki’s only singles point came at the top of the order from Alex Randall, who dispatched William Orsborn 6–2 6–0.
Randall and Davidson pulled back a valuable point for Ōpaki with a tough 6–3 2–6 10–4 defeat of Tatham and Chang, and Oakley and Richie Day picked up a third win with a 6–2 6–4 defeat of Andi Steinemann and Crout.
Crawford and Olivia Orsborn scored Carterton’s sixth win and a crucial point, holding on to beat Belinda Day and Bunny 7–5 6–4.
Martinborough are assured of playing in the final on 23 points, with Carterton on 18 and Ōpaki on 14 points.
Ōpaki must beat Martinborough to be guaranteed a place in the decider or win four matches to draw level with Carterton and hope they have the better on a countback.
