Ōtaki Sports Club has posted its most successful tennis season opening in many years with eight of its nine teams finishing first or second in their pre-Christmas competitions.

The club’s senior Mixed A grade team was the only undefeated team in its grade and won some distance ahead of second-placed Vogelmorn, who they beat 8-0.

In the seven-round Wellington competition, the team of Adam Shelton, Craig Eves, Hannah Grimmett, Jodie Lawson, Leonie Campbell and Tom Caines scored four maximum 8-0 wins.

The club’s senior Mixed B grade team also won its grade and will likely gain promotion to A grade in the new year, if so, giving the club two A grade teams for the first time.

The team of Emma Whiterod, Ema Moore, Monique Moore, Oriwia Raureti, Heitia Raureti, Pātaka Moore, Pereri Hathaway and Callan Nikora also made a name for itself as a tima te reo Māori, with language and tikanga being the core of the team’s kaupapa.

The club’s senior Mixed D grade team has one tie to play, can finish no lower than second, and will likely gain promotion to C grade in the new year.

In junior tennis, the club’s top junior team – the Hit and Miss – finished second in the Kapi-Mana B grade competition.

The club’s second and third-ranked junior teams finished first and second in their Kapi-Mana C grade competition.

The Ōtaki Aces – Daya Bramley, Riley Cohen, Stanley Butler and Wyeth Andrews – were undefeated in winning the grade.

Ōtaki Kakama – Ailie Ironside, Charlie Henderson, Francisco McKenzie, Jessica Wilkinson and Xavier Nikora – came second with only one loss, to the Ōtaki Aces.

In the Kapi-Mana Hot Shots (junior novice) competition, Ōtaki Sports Club’s two teams also finished first and second.

Ōtaki Māhuri – Maximus Beauchamp, Hunter Pritchard, Stewart Johnston, Angus Mecoy and Maapihi Pritchard – won the competition undefeated and with a week to spare, and over the seven rounds scored five maximum 8-0 wins.

Ōtaki Hihiko – Isabella McKenzie, Lila Porteners, Sam West, Tai Mana Moeke, Isaac Bridge and Oliver Martin – came second.

The men’s 5th grade team played well all season for a mid-table finish.