Tense tie-break success enough to retain trophy

GUERNSEY retained the Bucktrout Trophy after a thrilling inter-insular at the Caesarean Tennis Club ended with honours even. The weather threatened to spoil a great day's competition but the action was moved indoors for a tense finale in the mixed doubles as the last four matches were completed using just a 10-point tie-break.

It proved to be exciting for both spectators and competitors although the players involved would rather have done without it.

It was a particularly pleasing result for the visitors who were without several key players, including Chris Hickling, Rob West, Patrick Ogier and Ian Robinson.

The home side won the men's doubles section five rubbers to three and, as expected, Pieter Theron and Pablo Giacopelli proved to be by far and away the best pairing on display with an impressive showing of power and ability.

But at the lower end of the section, Guernsey juniors Arrian Green and Dominic McLuskey were in hot form and took out their more-experienced Jersey opponents with some ease.

Guernsey's other win came via Jimmy Wood and Andy Privett who defeated Ian Morgan and Gareth Roberts.

The Sarnian women took the match back to all-square as they won their doubles section by the same 5-3 scoreline.

The number-one pairing of Jo Robinson and Bridget Yabsley triumphed in both of their encounters while there was one win apiece for Chantelle de la Mare and Louise Adcock, Michelle Watson and Karen Kurtis and Charlotte Koller and Stephanie Connelly.

The eight mixed doubles matches began in overcast conditions which deteriorated into a drizzle and play was halted on the outside courts for the day with only two of the sets completed.

With time running short, the top four matches reached their conclusion on the indoor courts.

Theron and Giacopelli both completed a hat trick of wins as they partnered Rebecca Edwards and Clare Corrigan respectively, but the Guernsey pairs of Richard Smeed and Yabsley and Nick Thibeault and Connelly held their nerve to win in a one-set all, 10-point tie-break.

With Green and Kurtis winning as well, it was down to McLuskey and Watson to secure the 12th rubber Guernsey needed to retain the trophy in the final game on court and they came up trumps, taking their tie-break 10-7 against Michael Bruggraber and Sarah Anderson.