Shier and Hearse gain recognition

OLIVER SHIER and Megan Hearse received the St Margaret's Lodge Hotel monthly awards for the Guernsey Schools' Tennis Club. Shier won Division One of the Saturday leagues but was unable to defend his crown in the following two weeks, as he was involved in National Junior Club League matches.

In one of the matches he fought his Jersey rival all the way before finally being shaded in the championship tie-break.

'Oliver has had an exceptionally good month and all the hard work he has put into his coaching and the club competitions has paid off,' said organiser Geoff Martel.

Hearse's outstanding performance came in an under-16 match representing the island in the NJCL.

The 13-year-old showed maturity beyond her years to claim a 6-2, 5-7, 10-7 win against a Jersey rival.

She was unlucky not to continue her winning vein, being edged out in a nail-biting finish to the championship tie-break in an under-14 doubles matches with Joanna Dyer.

The duo have also teamed up to good effect in Divisions One and Two of the Fletcher Sports Ladies' League, producing some encouraging performances.

Daniel Thomas leads Division One of the Saturday leagues by just one point at the halfway stage.

With Adam Potter in second and Shier looking to make up for time spent representing Guernsey, the run-in looks too close to call.

Harry Martel is four points clear at the top of Division Two from Michael Trotter, who has shown steady improvement all season, and Branden Harrison. Matthew Longson is only a further two points adrift and with all the players in the league capable of good performances at this level, the season will remain very competitive.

With no consistent performer in Division Three, Robert Lowe has been able to take a four-point lead. Although none of the remaining players has got their challenge going, Jean Luc Helmot and David Butler are well poised should Lowe falter.

Division Four is the most interesting league as a host of players are in contention for top spot. Rosie Davis holds pole position but with twin sister Alice, Kaeliegh Le Tissier, Tom Byrom and Lucas van de Hauwaert all challenging, the title is still definitely up for grabs.