Junior CI Top 12, Nov 2013

Alex Robinson (pictured) could scarcely believe the mathematics which cost him the CI Junior Top 12 title at the GTTA Centre. Despite defeating two of Jersey's three main contenders with some outstanding play, he had to settle for third spot behind the Caesareans' Chris Morshead and Jordan Wykes, both of whom had superior points ratios to the Guernsey YOWlgster in the count-back of the three-way head-to-head calculations.

Having beaten Hugo Tupper and Morshead, the eventual winner, in thrilling fashion, Robinson's slip was a failure to convert a one set and 8-2 advantage over Wykes in the penultimate round. Wykes hit back to win 11,7 in the fifth and that result ultimately cost the Sarnian, who had played so well.

Robinson had earlier shown his grit by coming back from two ends down to beat Morshead 12,10 in the fifth, but in the main the Guernsey contenders struggled to cope with the excellent defensive play of Morshead and Jack Mills. Derek Webb, the GTTA president, said it was a problem for the local youngsters. 'Jersey have two excellent young defenders and we haven't got any, which causes us problems when we come up against

one,' he said.

Nobody struggled more against the chopping style of Morshead and Mills than Joshua Butler (pictured), who had started the day as Guernsey's top contender. He scraped past Mills in five, but was brushed aside by Tupper and then went down to Morshead in straight ends.

Josh Stacey was another who went home wondering what might have been. He beat both Tupper and Wykes but succumbed meekly against Morshead, picking up just 14 points over three ends. Of the two girls on show,

Guernsey's Chloe Le Tissier underlined what a fine prospect she is by not only defeating Kelsey Le Maitre but taking Tyler Gosselin the full distance. Ultimately, the big winner was the sport. The event was of barely imaginable quality for a couple of off, shore islands, and a tribute to the development of both associations. Jersey edged the overall score on the day by 21 rubbers to 15.