Scots and French lined up for follow-up event

PLAYERS from France and Scotland could be competing at the next Guernsey Open. Organiser Mike Johns was pleased with how the first senior event went at the weekend and, as part of his three-year plan for the tournament, he hopes to attract a more international field next year.

'The tournament was a big success and we will be having a meeting tonight to discuss the next couple of years,' said Johns yesterday.

'We would have liked more players, particularly from different countries, and I will be looking to get in touch with the French Federation to see if we can get teams from western France to attend.

'Scotland indicated that they could not come over this year but will be able to next year. If we can get a few different teams, it will help.'

Johns also believes that after witnessing the inaugural event, more locals might be encouraged to take part in 2005.

'Obviously, events like this can only help the development of island players,' he said.

'It was quite interesting to see a different attitude from those locals who played this time.

'Usually, island players can lose before they go on the table because they think that they are not good enough, but they realised they can mix it with virtually anybody.'

He reserved particular praise for 15-year-old Scott Romeril who impressed in the senior event and looks set to attend training under John Hilton at the English High Performance Centre.

'We are making arrangements for him to come over to some of the tournaments in England. Just before Christmas there is one in Cheshire.

'He needs the opportunity to play against some of the better players in England. At his age, he is a good prospect.'

Romeril was involved in yesterday's Junior Open but, surprisingly, he and Ryan Perry were beaten 3-2 in the final of the team event thanks to an outstanding performance from the number two seeds Gary Dodd and Paul Hainsworth.

'We had 24 juniors involved. You always want more and a number of players were a little bit scared and maybe thought it would be a bit hard for them. But now they have seen that they would not be out of their depth, it will only encourage them to compete,' Johns said.

Thirty juniors have signed up for the training camp that is being coached by current British number one Alan Cooke, which starts today.

'We are actually full for that. We cannot take anymore because we could not then guarantee that we could give them the time they need individually,' said Johns.