Theron praises CI good guys

A RESILIENT Channel Islands under-18's team finished in second place in last weekend's Division Six County Cup competition in Glasgow. In a closely contested group any of the three teams involved could have won on the final day and gain promotion.

'Naturally I'm disappointed not to have won the group,' said coach Pieter Theron.

'But I'm very pleased with the guys. It was an effort they can all be proud of.'

The annual County Cup runs on a similar format to the Davis Cup. The fixture includes six singles matches followed by three doubles.

After losing 4-5 to the eventual champions Hereford and Worcestershire, the CI team beat South of Scotland 5-4.

Needing full points to have a chance of promotion, the Channel Islanders demolished Gloucestershire 9-0.

Nicky Thibeault, 13, stood out against Gloucestershire by saving two match points at 5-3 in the last set and going on to take the match.

After their whitewash, the Channel Islanders required South of Scotland to beat Hereford and Worcestershire by five games to four to finish top.

At 3-3 after the singles this looked realistic. But South of Scotland faded away, and Hereford and Worcestershire clinched the title.

The older members of the Channel Islands team, including Sarn-ians Pat Ogier, Rob West and Arian Green and Jersey's Tony Maguire, all had a great couple of days, winning 11 out of 12 singles matches.

Coach Theron said he was pleased with the way his team conducted themselves on the court. At no time during the weekend did a referee have to reprimand any of them.

This attitude combined with the potential shown over weekend bodes well for Channel Islands tennis.

'Each member of the team improved individually every day and if they continue in this vein, then senior county tennis is looking healthy to say the least,' said Theron.

Dominic McLuskey and Jersey's James Connolly completed.