Dream debut for Alice

ALICE LOVERIDGE enjoyed a stunning debut for the island senior women's team and made all the difference as Guernsey unexpectedly lifted the British League Division Three title in Widnes. The 11-year-old did not lose a rubber in the five matches played over two days.

'Everybody was very impressed as to how she played,' said Guernsey team captain Sam Kershaw.

'You wouldn't have known she was just 11,' she added.

Guernsey had come into the final round one point behind leaders and title-favourites Ormesby, who had beaten the Sarnians in September.

The situation was unchanged as the two met again in the league decider.

Dawn Morgan played at one, Kay Chivers two and Loveridge three.

That meant Morgan meeting the Ormesby one and two, Chivers the UK side's one and three and Loveridge their two and three.

Morgan was to lose both her matches but Loveridge cancelled out those results with her two wins.

That put pressure on Chivers but she responded brilliantly and apart from defeating Ormesby's third-ranked player, beat their previously unbeaten number one, Karen Sheppard.

'I contained her, put a lot of chop on it and kept it tight just over the net,' said Chivers, who had succumbed to Sheppard in their previous meeting.

'But we couldn't have done it without Alice,' said a magnanimous Chivers.

'It was a lovely weekend and we were proud to have had Alice with us,' the many-times island champion added.

Guernsey also triumphed 4-2 against Oxbridge, but it was easier in the other three ties.

Ashford, Marston and Cippenham Ladies B were all beaten 6-0.

Guernsey, whose players all received cut glass crystal and a bunch of flowers, now look forward to playing in Division Two next season.