Player depth, especially from the young ladies, told at the Basset St courts as Wanganui under-16 won their junior representative tri-series against Taranaki and Manawatu at the weekend.
They were able to secure the services of the star first-cousins Kyle Butters and Paige Hourigan for their Saturday matchup against Taranaki, bolstered as well by youngsters like Paris Butters and Gabrielle Hiri stepping up a grade, winning 9-3.
Yesterday, however, Wanganui had to go on without their two star players and fought out a much closer affair against the representatives from Palmerston North. Hiri and Paris Butters really stepped up, winning both their singles matches and the doubles together.
It turned out that every point counted as the teams were tied 6-6 at the conclusion. A countback revealed the sets played were also tied 12-12, so it came all the way down to games with Wanganui prevailing 105-99.
Manawatu had beaten Taranaki 7-5 to set up the pulsating final challenge.
Having moved their strongest players up a grade, Wanganui were not as successful at under-14 level. They were well beaten 11-1 by Taranaki, with Chris Ferguson providing the sole win for the home team.
Taranaki U14 also beat Manawatu U14 7-5, who came back and beat Wanganui 8-4.
The Under 10s and Under 12s games were held over in Palmerston North.