'Overawed' but not outclassed

GUERNSEY'S top juniors paid for a negative approach at their first visit to the Portugal Youth Champion-ships which featured many of Europe's finest youngsters. Alice Loveridge, predictably, fared better than any local, winning seven matches, but Guernsey Table Tennis Association president Derek Webb, who headed the GTTA party in Tavira in the Algarve, said that generally the 10-strong squad had lacked self-belief.

'Obviously Alice did well and won seven singles matches, albeit in the play-off stages,' said Webb.

'The plus side was that we competed well, but the players need more self-belief. Our players went to the tournament with a negative approach.

'I think they were a bit

overawed.

'But I'm not disappointed. We had good results but we could have done better.'

Eighteen countries were present at the 14th annual tournament, including Canada.

Like Guernsey, the home nations struggled but Webb is keen to return next year.

All told, approaching 200 players took part.

'Our players did not look out of place,' said Webb.

In the singles events, Loveridge won two of her group matches but with only the pool winner going through she did not qualify for the latter stages.

Stubbington and Langlois competed well in the cadet boys and at one stage were 2-0 up against Italy B, before the Italians hit back to win by the odd rubber in five.