Inter Insulars 2019

Post date: Apr 30, 2019 8:18:57 PM

Jersey  52 - 58  Guernsey  

Guernsey retained the sought-after aggregate trophy following a full day of action at the Geoff Reed table tennis centre on Saturday. The 58-52 triumph at the FB Fields location was the first time Guernsey have clinched the aggregate on Jersey soil since 2009. The previous 2 attempts in Jersey were agonisingly lost 56-54, so it was a moment to savour for the large Guernsey contingent that made the trip across the water.

Peter Powell collects the Aggregate Trophy from JTTA President Paul Routier on behalf of the Guernsey team

(Picture courtesy JTTA)

Despite the overall aggregate win, Jersey regained the showpiece Green trophy event that they had last won in 2015 after they battled back from 4-3 down to edge it 6-4.

The absence of the best player in the Channel Islands, Garry Dodd, from the Guernsey team due to ineligibility following his relocation to the UK gave Jersey the opportunity they needed and they duly converted.

Guernsey’s team of Lawrence Stacey, Joshua Stacey and Ben Foss gave a very strong account for themselves and will feel hard done by to not come away with at least a draw. They led throughout the tie prior to the surge from the Caesareans at the end.

Lawrence made the perfect start to the night by defeating CI Men’s Singles Champion Mariusz Cieminski in 4 sets, avenging his defeat from the previous evening, before the impressive Luc Miller dispatched Foss in straight sets. Joshua got the Sarnians back in front with a 4 set win over Gosselin, before Miller produced another comprehensive performance, outgunning Lawrence in straight sets. Joshua put Guernsey in the lead for the 3rd time due to an excellent 5 set win over Cieminski, courtesy of some excellent backhand topspins.

The doubles was a crucial rubber and the Jersey duo of Miller and Cieminski edged past Lawrence and Foss 11-8 in the deciding end. Foss put Guernsey within touching distance of retaining the trophy when he earned an excellent straight sets win against Gosselin in his maiden Green outing, before Grantham College Table Tennis Academy player Miller added his 3rd consecutive straight sets win of the night over an out of sorts Joshua.

Lawrence was up next against Gosselin in a crucial encounter. Lawrence had beaten Gosselin twice during the Jersey Open which took place the previous weekend, however the Jerseyman fired himself up and battled back strongly from losing the opening end to narrowly edge through.

Foss gave his best efforts in the final rubber against Cieminski, however he went down 11-9 in the 4th set of a very closely contested encounter.

Guernsey’s aggregate success from the entire day was attributable largely to the excellent effort of the Senior players. Of the 60 points available from these events (including the Green), Guernsey took a whopping 45 of them.

The Women’s Margaret trophy was a particular highlight as a crushing 9-1 win was obtained. Dawn Morgan and Kay Chivers both excelled and won all of their matches against Kay Lefebvre, Irene Bree and Kathryn Silcock, whilst Paula Le Ber overcame Silcock on top of earning her first ever win against Lefebvre in 5 sets. She was unfortunate to miss out in 5 sets to Bree, despite coming back from 2-0 down to force a deciding end.

Over 60’s earned themselves a matching 9-1 win as the team of Chivers, Chas Elliott and Keith Opie overcame the Jersey side of Lefebvre, Paul Routier and Mick Molyneux.

The Over 50’s side of Mark Pipet, Andy Gill and Tim Le Page went one better with a 10-0 whitewash over Eugene Ellis, Rob Blackmore and Mark Liron, however star player Ellis was unfortunately required to retire from his matches after tearing his calf muscle during his opening match whilst leading 2-0 against Gill.

The Over 40’s side of Phil Ogier, Jez Powell and Gill came through 7-3 against Ellis, Mario Martinka and Blackmore. Powell starred on this occasion as he won all his matches which included a superb 3-1 win against Ellis.

Finally on the Senior side, the Under 21 squad of Ryan Bichard, Dan Collenette and Matthew Casey earned a hard fought 6-4 win against the Jersey team of Miller, Alfie Sutherland and Thomas Cotillard. Miller proved ruthless once more with an unbeaten match which gave Jersey the 4 rubbers, however the Guernsey trio all powered past Sutherland and Cotillard to make sure of the win.

The Under 11 and Under 13 Open events were dominated by Jersey and won 9-1, however there were still some strong performances from the Guernsey players including a solid win for Shelby Timms in the Under 13 level and Jayden Tucknott, who earned the Junior player of the weekend award from the JTTA.

The Under 15’s of Ben Sharp, Caden Brouard and James Crocker were very unfortunate to miss out 6-4 in a match where Caden Brouard won twice, Ben Sharp once and an impressive doubles win for the duo against Leon Pierre and Max Roche. James Crocker came so close to defeating Noah Risby, but he failed to convert on 4 x match points whilst leading 2-0 and 10-6, with Risby battling back to win in 5 sets.

The Under 18 Girls squad of Alderney players Marli Barker, Amy Wesley and Melissa Johns were also narrowly edged out 6-4, whilst the Under 18 Boys of Foss, Collenette and Casey lost 7-3 to a Jersey team inspired by another Miller master class and supported well by Pierre and Sutherland.

The Green trophy may have been lost, however Guernsey will see the welcome return of Dodd for the Island Games in Gibraltar where they look to defend their Gold medal won in Gotland, whilst Jersey too will be strengthened by the inclusion of Jordan Wykes.

Further photos (courtesy of JTTA)