Le Ber and Stone star in top bands

PAULA LE BER enjoyed a fantastic afternoon as she came out on top of band one in the third event of the Deutsche Bank Junior Development Series. Six banded tournaments were played based on ability and at the highest level four youngsters met on a round-robin basis over the best of seven games.

Le Ber went through her campaign unbeaten, winning against Liam Robilliard, Andrew Stone and Matthew Stubbington, who finished in that order.

It was also an outstanding weekend for Stone.

He demonstrated huge potential in beating first division player and highly-rated Stubbington 15-13 in the seventh and deciding leg.

Stone also won band two by beating band one winner Le Ber in an entertaining final.

They shared the first two games, but Stone went on to avenge his band-one defeat as he ran out a 3-1 victor over a player against whom he has a good record.

Both band three finalists are having good seasons as James Lihou has shown tremendous improvement so far and Joshua Stacey is confirming all his early promise.

It was Stacey who won 10-12, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 and having won the band twice in a row, now compulsorily moves up to two.

Runner-up in three, Lihou came out on top of band four by beating the improving Kate Stubbington 3-0.

He has now won this band twice in a row and also has to move up.

Band five was won by newcomer Reece Ogier, 14, who beat young James Hunt in a five-set thriller, eventually prevailing 11-9 in the decider.

Louie Travis beat Samuel Totty 3-0 to win band six for the second time and will also progress to five.

The banded tournaments are continuing to be very popular with an overall entry of 80 in the six different levels, giving a chance to all standards to win a tournament and gain valuable competition experience.