Romeril finds vet McCance too tricky

SCOTT ROMERIL would not have played as many players as tricky as the one he lost to in the VisitGuernsey Table Tennis Open singles final. At the Guernsey Table Tennis Centre yesterday, the 17-year-old island star was defeated 3-1 by John McCance.

The 48-year-old Middlesex veteran cut an unusual figure at the table with his tongue perpetually sticking out the side of his mouth in concentration.

But he was certainly effective as he unleashed a variety of elaborate serves and he did extremely well to continually block Romeril's powerful forehand smashes.

He went into the final as underdog after losing to the Sarnian the day before in the band two competition.

'I thought I was going to win but he played well and I ran out of steam,' said Romeril afterwards.

'I'm quite disappointed because I didn't get the £50 prize money.'

McCance took the first set 11-7. Romeril rallied back to take the second with ease 11-5, but he could not keep the momentum going as his opponent time and time again managed to get back what was thrown at him.

Into the third and some clever play by McCance gave him the advantage again as he won 11-8.

Needing just one more set for victory, he was pushed all the way and the game hung in the balance at 10all.

But he managed to take the last two points from his younger opponent to secure the title.

'I'm delighted,' he said.

'I sneaked the semi and I thought for the final I'd go for it. I didn't expect to get this far.

'I played Scott yesterday and lost when I wasn't warmed up. I knew if I played him when I was warmed up I would have a chance.'

To get to the final, McCance had beaten Jake Shaw in the semi-final.

Shaw had created the upset of the competition, when he defeated former England international and pre-tournament favourite John Hilton in the quarter-finals.

Hilton is also the young Cheshire player's coach.

'I'm gutted, I don't know what to say,' joked Hilton afterwards, who was clearly delighted with his young charge's performance.

'He's my protege and he knows how to play me. It did him more good than it did me.

'He had a nightmare yesterday and today he had a couple of good wins before he got to me. It's done him good.

'I'm just disappointed he didn't get to the final.'

Romeril's journey to the final saw him taste success over Guernsey's under-12 and 14 national champion, Alice Loveridge. He nearly lost to the 12-year-old in the recent Senior Group tournament and it was a case of deja vu.

Loveridge took the first two sets with quick movement and a wicked backhand.

She looked on for the win before Romeril switched to a more positive style of play to utilise his booming forehand smash.