Robinsons' generation game is on

THE Guernsey Closed Champion-ships saw another triumphant performance by the Robinson family. Jo, the island's leading senior female for many years, was victorious in all three competitions, winning the singles, doubles and mixed trophies.

In the singles final, she defeated a determined Jo Dyer, who is one of the top juniors in the island and who did very well to reach the final.

However, Robinson's experience and superior tactics allowed her to dominate the match.

She teamed up with Sarah Levy (nee Bachmann) to win the doubles final against Debbie Smith and Carol Holmes.

In the mixed final, Robinson partnered her son, Nico, to defeat Tim Creasey and Chantelle de la Mare in a hard-hitting encounter.

Nico is following in his parents' and grandparents' footsteps. The mixed doubles event has been won by family members of all three generations.

'At 48, I was not sure that I would have the fitness to win all three competitions,' said Jo.

'However, I was determined to perform well this weekend and I was very proud to partner my son to victory in his first final in the senior closed championships. This means a lot to the Robinson family.'

In the men's events, the singles final was a nail-biting affair.

Chris Hickling competed against Jimmy Wood in a thriller that was decided on a championship tiebreak with the players sharing the two sets.

Hickling, poised to serve for victory at 9-8, was made to wait as his opponent called a timeout due to cramp. Wood bravely continued but eventually lost the decider.

The pair teamed up in the doubles to play against Guernsey Tennis Club coach Andy Privett and Ian Robinson.

Hickling and Wood were successful, winning 6-1, 6-3 in a superior display of serve volleying.

The B-grade singles is yet to be completed and will feature Jonny Taylor and Nico Robinson.

'It was extremely exciting to see promising juniors such as Jo Dyer and Nico Robinson reach the final and even to achieve success at such an early age in the senior competition,' said tournament referee Rick Denton.

'It was nice to see such a triumph for the Robinson family who have always supported tennis in the island and made a major contribution to the development of young talent.'