Newcomers bolster home side for big clash renewal
GUERNSEY will be fighting to break Jersey’s dominant run later this month as the inter-insular returns from a lengthy hiatus.
After operating a reduced format in 2019 due to facility issues in Jersey and then missing a year due to Covid, the Channel Islands showpiece heads to the Guernsey Tennis Centre on Sunday 28 November with a healthy 12 rubbers lined up on the indoor courts.
The home side appear on paper to have a massive task on their hands, given that Jersey have won 11 of the last 12 editions.
But Guernsey captain Rob West has welcomed two promising newcomers to island tennis – former American college players Olly Cull and Lauren Watson-Steele – into what he believes overall to be a very capable team.
‘Guernsey will be sending out the strongest team that we can,’ he said.
‘It has to be one of the strongest teams that we have put out in recent years.’
In reference to Cull and Watson-Steele, who have come over for work purposes and have three-year contracts, the captain said: ‘It is very exciting to have them in the mix.’
Teenager Lauren Coutanche is also a new cap.
Jo Dyer spearheads the women’s team following her achievement of a 10th Guernsey singles title, with West having shown his own class by bringing his tally into double digits that same day.
‘We will see how it goes, really,’ West added.
‘Having seen the Jersey team, they are not as strong as they could be and not as strong as they have been in recent years, so this is a very good opportunity to turn the tables.’
In any case, it will be a good experience-builder ahead of the Channel Islands uniting for a return to County Cup action the following month.
Guernsey boast solid representation on both the men’s and women’s end in the combined CI teams, including welcoming back star youngster Tom Turner as he returns from college in America.
However, neither Cull nor Watson-Steele are eligible, due to requiring 12 months’ residency to play at CI level.
Guernsey inter-insular team
Men: Olly Cull, Rob West, Nico Robinson, Pieter Robinson (singles only), Patrick Ogier (doubles only).
Women: Jo Dyer, Lauren Barker, Lauren Watson-Steele, Lauren Coutanche (singles only), Nat Le Cras (doubles only).
