Island Games Countdown

With the experience garnered world- wide over recent years, it should be no surprise to see Guernsey's table tennis team in a bullish mood ahead of this month's Island Games.

And although team manager and selector Maurice James will not get carried away with Sarnian hopes, he does admit Guernsey are sending a powerful eight to the Isle of Wight.

'It is probably the best team we have ever sent to an Island Games: he said.

'They have all been training two or three times a week when they can and obviously the ultimate aim is to win the team gold medal.

'We have won it before and we have

also won silver and bronze recently, so hopefully we can get the gold with this team.'

Any optimism is certainly justifiable with the team event to feature multiple Channel Island champions Garry Dodd, Alice Loveridge and Dawn Morgan, as well as the experienced Olly Langlois.

Despite having strength in depth this time, James says that unless unforeseen circumstances occur it will just be that quartet who play in the team event.

'We have the option of using different players throughout the event, but we came to the decision as selectors to

just use the top four if possible.

'By doing that, it helps to build up a good rhythm that can carry forward throughout the week.

'Alice has obviously got a good record and plenty of experience around the world, while Garry is also in excellent form at the moment.

'Dawn will be as strong as ever and Olly has also been playing very well against Jersey recently.'

But away from the team event, Dodd will be looking to add the first gold medal to his impressive Games record, while Loveridge won the women's singles back in 2007.  more>>