Langlois boys benefit from experience

THE Langlois brothers made encouraging debuts at British League level as Guernsey opened their 2007-08 season in Division Two south and Midlands. They helped Guernsey win two and draw one of their opening four matches in the eight-team league, good enough for joint second place in the table with another 10 games to come.

Joining the Langlois boys, Ollie and Adam, were Phil Ogier and Peter Bretel as Guernsey reshuffled their squad due to the representative bans for island numbers one and two, Scott Romeril and Garry Dodd.

Ollie was quick to make his mark, winning both his singles rubbers as the Sarnians won their opening match in Ashford 6-2 against Bedford Modern.

But against De Vere Netts Guernsey came unstuck 5-3, Bretel winning twice in a very tight encounter which saw five of the eight rubbers go the full five sets.

In match three, the Sarnians won 6-2 against newly-promoted Eastbourne.

Again five matches went the distance and, crucially, four of them went Guernsey's way.

Both Eastbourne's wins came from the bat of former England international Nick Mason.

Ogier came to the party in the final match of the weekend, winning both his two in a 4-4 draw against Horsham, who have dropped down a division.

Ogier said it was a good start for the team and the youngsters.

'It was a good education for them. There were a lot of close games and they were involved in a lot of those close games. They showed good concentration.'

It will be a good experience for them, said Ogier.

'The British League offers exposure to different styles of play.

'I was pleased with the result we got. It was a good, solid start.'

The next round is on the weekend 7-9 December.