Ridunians add to the excitement

A RECORD 97 juniors took part in the fifth and final Deutsche Bank Banded Tournament. Nine of these players were from Alderney and they were entering their first competition in Guernsey.

The Ridunians gave a very good account of themselves, especially considering it was their initial exposure to tournament table tennis.

Edward Rowe was the star, losing narrowly in the band six final.

The Alderney club hope to make this a regular occurrance and they contributed to a great atmosphere at the Guernsey Table Tennis Centre.

There are currently few players eligible for band one as some of the better ones have moved out of the junior tournament stage into the open category.

Band one was played as a round robin with five playing the best of five.

Paula Le Ber had a fantastic afternoon, coming out on top of the band for the second time in a row, which means she now moves up into the open category.

Matthew Stubbington was level on games with Le Ber, but ended as runner-up on countback and due to having lost to her.

Le Ber was also successful in band two, beating the improving Andrew Stone 3-1.

Band three was won by 16-year-old Oliver Tracey, who overcame the up and coming 10-year-old Kate Stubbington 3-1, 12-10 in the fourth.

Stubbington gained some consolation by coming out on top of band four in a very close and evenly contested final, defeating Jonathan Hurford 3-2, 11-8 in the fifth.

Fast improving 14-year-old Reece Ogier beat Shannon Carre 3-0 to win band five for the second time in a row. He now moves up to four and three.

First-time winner Sam de Garis beat Alderney's Rowe 3-1 to win band six.