CI men win promotion

THE Channel Islands men's team has won promotion in the LTA Winter Indoor County Championship for only the second time in 13 years. Playing in Liverpool, the CI secured a clean sweep of victories over the three other counties in Division 6A to confirm that the side captained by Ian Morgan was one of the strongest to represent the 'county'.

On the first day, the Isle of Man were defeated 7-2 in the nine-rubber contest while the match against Cumbria 24 hours later was a whitewash for the CI.

Lincolnshire provided a tougher proposition altogether.

'They were unbeaten like us and it was them or us for promotion in this match,' said Morgan.

'We thought we had a chance because we were fielding what was probably the strongest Channel Islands team for a long time, especially with the emergence of the younger players.

'They are so committed and have plenty of experience at UK tournaments. We have real strength in depth now.'

In the crunch match, Guernsey's young trio of Dominic McLuskey, Rob West and Patrick Ogier helped the CI to a 4-2 lead after the singles before West and Jimmy Wood secured the vital rubber in the doubles to ensure promotion.

Ogier won the match of the tournament, emerging victorious in a gruelling encounter against the Lincolnshire number two,

6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

'Of course we are delighted with our success. The whole weekend was a real team effort and everyone played their part,' said Morgan.

The women's side was not as successful, suffering three defeats in Cambridge.

However, their scores were quite creditable, with many rubbers going to three sets.

Shropshire were 6-3 victors over the CI on day one. Eventual group winners Norfolk overcame them 8-1 the following day but the CI showed excellent spirit in the final match against the Isle of Man in which they lost out by a solitary rubber.