Once again the defending men’s Scarbro Caro Bowl champions, Parnell, have listed a who’s who of tennis in New Zealand as the first round gets underway tonight (Friday) with plenty of international flavour.

Davis Cup player Rubin Statham will return from Australia on several occasions, with the regular team set to be Matt Prentice, ex-top-20 player – Alastair Hunt, Jacob Olsen from Pompallier and Steve Downs.

They are away to Herne Bay who have some hard working players from the North Shore - Daniel Moser, Slovenian Michael Topolsky and veteran Nick Wilse as the mainstay of their side.

The Parnell women host Mission Bay which should see former top-100 player Pavlina Nola against former New Zealand Fed Cup player Ilke Gers.  Also of not will be the appearance of Tanya Samodelok for Mission Bay who is not even a teen yet but has played all around the world already.

A Key men’s clash is Pompallier who have a strong side with plenty of international experience hosting Kohimarama which has a strong Waikato connection including the ever-consistent South African Gerrit Steenkamp and a new French player, Clement Bigeau.

West End have South Africa pro, Wesley Whitehouse in the top spot and Davis Cup players James Greenhalgh and Teo Susnjak while their opponents Royal Oak have former Chinese Davis Cup player Wei Wei who has transferred from Herne Bay.

Last seasons finalists, Blockhouse Bay are away to the entertainly Remuera side while the Bay can line up some of the most experienced players around, including Andrew Batie.

In the remaining women’s matches, Kohimarama with Kairangi Vano, 17, and 14 year old North Harbour 1.83m tall Briar Preston at No 2.  They host the young Pompallier team who has teen, Amelia Harris in the top spot.

Mangere Combined are an all-Maori team who were finalists in 2006 and winners a couple of years earlier and include former pro’s Tracey O’Connor, Rewa Harriman (nee Hudson) and Shelley Bryce (nee Stephens).  They are at home against the steady Royal Oak team who have teenager Abigail Guthrie at No 1.

Newly promoted Glen Eden are away to a young Remuera team in the final match of the round.

Men’s First Round Draw – Friday 28th September (home team listed first) 6pm start.
Pompallier v Kohimarama
Herne Bay v Parnell
Remuera v Blockhouse Bay
Royal Oak v West End

Women’s First Round Draw – Friday 28th September (home team listed first) 6pm start.
Parnell v Mission Bay
Kohimarama v Pompallier
Mangere Combined v Royal Oak
Remuera v Glen Eden