Theron is making all the difference

GUERNSEY have maintained their 100% start to the National Club League season with a third straight victory. The Sarnians, who play in Division Two South, followed up their opening two home wins with a 6-0 defeat of Caversham in Reading at the weekend.

That meant that so far this season the team has dropped just one of 18 rubbers, having previously beaten Oxford 5-1 and Downend 6-0.

'It is a pretty exciting time,' said captain Chris Hickling.

'This year we have got a good team from top to bottom, there is real strength in depth and everyone is enjoying it.'

One of the keys to Guernsey's success has been the introduction of Pieter Theron at number one. He works as an accountant in Jersey during the week, but is in charge of coaching juniors in both Jersey and Guernsey and comes here at weekends.

'He is definitely the best player in the Channel Islands,' Hickling said.

'In the past we have had problems winning at number one, but now we have got someone who can compete at number one, which means all of us can play one spot down.

'Last year we lost three out of five matches on countback which ended 3-3 and we did not win a match at number one, whereas this year we have not lost a match at number one and it makes a big difference.

'We are also winning close matches which, in the past, we have often lost.'

The Guernsey captain has also been impressed by juniors Rob West and Patrick Ogier, who are winning important rubbers.

He emphasised that the future of Guernsey tennis looked very promising.

'We try and get juniors who have got potential to play with us, not just in the matches but also have them involved with training.

Guernsey are playing the only other unbeaten team in the division, East Gloucester, at Longcamps Tennis Centre on Sunday 6 June, with the match starting at 11am.

'All the matches are important but that is the key one. If we can win that we will have a good chance of finishing top of the group,' said Hickling.