Aoraki Junior Secondary Schools Tennis Teams Championships
On Thursday 27
th October 2011, the Aoraki Junior Tennis Tournament was held at the South Canterbury Finance Tennis Centre. Due to the strength of tennis at Roncalli we were able to enter four teams in this tournament, two in the boys grade and two in the mixed grade.
Boys A: Adam Beck (captain), Luke Elsen, Daniel Kelliher, Liam Beck
Boys B: Josh Sullivan, Luke Cody, Conor Scott (captain), Michael Lees.
Mixed Blue: Libby Taylor (captain), Shannon Wallace, Tom Prayoonuang, Tom Anderson
Mixed Gold: Bethney Pattie (captain), Laura Dorgan, Sam Struthers, James Sandilands
Seven teams made up the boys competition, this grade was going to prove tough with highly ranked players spread out amongst teams from Ashburton, Waitaki Boys, St Kevins, Timaru Boys High School and Roncalli. In round one Roncalli A were convincing winners over St Kevins 6-0 and Roncalli B played Waitaki Boys which resulted in a 3 all draw, Roncalli came out winners by four games 32-28. Round two Roncalli A were up against top seed Timaru Boys High School 1, the winner of this game would proceed to the final, Luke Elsen, Liam Beck and Daniel Kelliher all won their singles, this 3-1 lead going into the doubles was an advantage. The boys had no trouble winning both doubles 7-3, 7-1, taking the final match score 5-1 to Roncalli. Roncalli B played Ashburton College on the other side of the draw to find the 2
nd finalist team. Conor Scott was the only player to win his singles match 7-3, he then went on to win his doubles with Michael Lees also 7-3. Ashburton took the win 4-2, Roncalli B proceeded to play for 3
rd and 4
th against Timaru Boys High School 1 winning 3 singles and one doubles, Roncalli B took the 3
rd place spot over TBHS 1 4-2. Roncalli A faced a strong team from Ashburton College, Daniel Kelliher and Luke Elsen won their singles 7-4 and 7-2 respectively, going into the doubles 2-2 the boys were set for a hard fought battle, but once again the doubles combinations played exceptionally well and were too strong both winning 7-3, Roncalli A winning the Aoraki Junior Boys Title over Ashburton College 4-2.
In the mixed competition only three teams contested the title, both Roncalli teams lost to a very strong team from Ashburton College, therefore the Blue and Gold team fought the battle for 2
nd and 3
rd spot in this grade. The Blue team came out winners 5-1, Laura Dorgan being the only player for the Gold team to win her match against Libby Taylor 9-4. For the blue team Shannon Wallace 9-2 from Bethney Pattie, Tom Prayoonuang 9-4 over Sam Struthers, Tom Anderson 9-7 winner over James Sandilands. The Blue team won the doubles 9-4 & 9-3.
Overall it was a great day with all games played in good spirit, having the most teams entered was a credit to the talent at Roncalli College. Thank you to the parents who came along during the day to support the teams this was very much appreciated. Once again congratulations to the Boys A team for winning the Aoraki Secondary Schools Junior Boys Tennis Title for 2011.
Richelle Cannell – Tennis Coordinator
