Guernsey to host best of Britain

THE biggest and highest-quality table tennis tournament since the Commonwealth championships at Beau Sejour nearly 30 years ago comes to Guernsey this weekend. The three-day Deutsche Bank British and Irish Championships will feature 30 leading players from across the home nations, although many of England's top stars won't be travelling.

Derek Webb, president of the Guernsey Table Tennis Association, is looking forward to a special weekend at Hougue du Pommier.

'It will be a great tournament and there will be some quality table tennis played,' he said.

'Realistically, our players will find it tough but we will get some results.

'I think we can beat the Isle of Man and push Wales in the men's.'

Guernsey will be at full strength in the male competition, but are missing two of their female stars.

Alice Loveridge is away at a European junior training camp and Kay Chivers is in Canada to compete in the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

That leaves Dawn Morgan, Helen Fooks, Paula Le Ber and Bethany Pipet to fight the cause for the women.

The Guernsey men's squad comprises the top four players in Phil Ogier, Scott Romeril, Jez Powell and Garry Dodd.

In the male competition, the top four seeds come from Ireland and Scotland and favourite to win is Irishman Callum Slevin.

'England have chosen to send two top juniors in Tim Yarnell and David Meades,' said Webb.

'Scotland and Ireland are sending their top-notch players, while Wales include their number three and four ranked players.'

In the women's competition, the four best players include England's highly-rated youngsters Joanna Parker and Natalie Borden and Wales' Naomi Owen and Bethan Daunton.

The team championships are staged tomorrow evening and all day Saturday, while Sunday is given over to the two individual tournaments.

The finals are scheduled for 2pm.