Pipet edges another classic

ISLAND champion Phil Ogier may have to take a closer look at his tactics ahead of the forthcoming Island Championships after succumbing again to the resurgent veteran Mark Pipet in the First Division individual knockout final. Their meetings are always classic encounters and this game was no different.

The games followed a familiar pattern with the crisp-hitting Pipet bringing some outrageous retrieving from Ogier.

Some of Ogier's returns had the big crowd gasping, as they were nothing short of sensational, but again Pipet prevailed, winning in five sets 11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7.

In the semi-finals Ogier had beaten Peter Bretel 12-10 in the decider, while Pipet had too much ammunition for the top junior, Scott Romeril, who lost in three.

The withdrawal of top seed Steve Brouard with an arm injury threw the Second Division knockout wide-open.

Any of a dozen players were capable of claiming the title and three former top-flight players battled there way into the semis.

The exception was newcomer Wasif Annees, who had an excellent run with wins over Adrian Bienvenu and Len Bretel before he came up against an in-form Tim Le Page, who had seen off the brilliantly erratic Terry Trustum in five sets and Keith Opie in four.

In a tight semi-final encounter Le Page was always in control winning 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7.

The second semi paired super veteran Ian Fitchet against Kay Chivers.

The former island women's champion was in good form and won surprisingly easily 11-3, 11-6, 11-8.

In the final Le Page used his spin serves and a quality loop drive and counter-hitting style to keep Chivers under pressure.

In an open game Le Page emerged victorious 11-7, 6-11, 11-8, 11-8.

The Third Division knockout went to plan with top seed Kevin Marsh capping a successful return to table tennis with a straight sets win over junior Gary Dodd 11-8, 11-7, 13-11.

There were again a number of notable wins by the juniors.

Alice Loveridge beat the Fourth Division champion Adam Langlois 11-6, 12-10, 7-11, 12-10 and Dodd himself beat the higher-ranked junior Paul Hainsworth 11-8, 11-9, 11-9.

Veteran Brian Le Cras was the top seed for the Fourth Division event but such is the improvement in the islands juniors this season, it was no surprise to see the semi-finals dominated by youngsters.

The first semi-final pitted Le Cras against Bethany Pipet who had just seen off a tremendous challenge from nine-year-old Alice Loveridge 11-5, 11-13, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11.

This tough match must have taken a lot out of Pipet as Le Cras won in three straight tight sets.

The other semi-final was an all Langlois affair with 10-year-old Ollie starting out the slight favourite against older brother Adam.

The game was a joy to watch with both players giving 100% with no quarter asked or given.

Ollie took a 2-0 lead by winning both games relatively easily 11-5, 11-8. Adam realised he had to step up his game and continuing to attack he won the next two games 11-7, 11-5 to take the game into a decider.

Almost predictably, the game went to deuce and Adam just edged it 14-12 to set up a final against Le Cras.

The final was a tight encounter but Langlois showed no nerves and won in straight sets.