Pipet untouchable come the play-offs

MARK PIPET is not one for flying around a table tennis table. It's probably just as well, too, because if he had the mobility he had at 21, the 48-year-old might be just about unbeatable locally.

Pipet, who won the Capelles Open earlier this year, made it two Whistlers Open triumphs out of three with a string of convincing wins at the Hougue du Pommier Centre.

All the island's big guns were in action in a field of 39 and having eased through his qualifying pool, the former island star and Whistlers TTC stalwart, who is adamant his Green Trophy inter-insular days are behind him, saw off Derek Webb, Alice Loveridge, Scott Romeril and Jez Powell to take the title.

'I had a reasonable draw and yes, things went well,' said the new champion.

'I'm playing well and consistent. I'm up to speed.'

Come the play-offs, there was no touching Pipet.

Webb fell in straight sets, young Loveridge in four and, AS the outstanding prospect she is, the 11-year-old looked pretty disgusted with the result as she walked away from the table.

Loveridge is a threat to everyone, but the masterful Pipet is still one scalp beyond this fantastic prospect.

Pipet then took out the top seed, 16-year-old Scott Romeril, also in four having lost the opener, and did likewise to Powell in a fine final.

The champion is making the most of his Indian summer at the top of the local game.

With a wealth of young talent fast emerging, open titles may soon be a thing of the past for this giant of the local game.

Loveridge was not the only junior to impress.

Matthew Stubbington, who had match ball against her in their last-16 clash, had the temerity to wipe the floor with defending champion and recent island champion Peter Bretel.

That was in the qualifying stages, when Bretel may just have been less-than-100% focused knowing he was nearly certain to go through.

Nothing less than full-on focus will do for another former great, Peter Powell.

Now 70, Powell remains a formidable player and the old lion was pleased to push Adam Langlois, the 15-year-old number-eight seed, all the way.

Powell remains ever the enthusiast.

'Even against members of my own family, I wouldn't give points. I never let them beat me.'

Powell is lapping up the resurgence of the domestic game.

'I'm over the moon. It's never been as healthy.

'The quality of the standard coming through is unbelievable.'

Never has a truer word been spoken.