Dodd's title softens blow

IT SAYS something about the rude health of Guernsey table tennis that the 2008 men's singles champion was not good enough to win the under-18 crown, beaten by a 14-year-old.

Finals night at the annual island championships was far from predictable and from start to finish hugely entertaining, with the odd surprise in store.

No shock was bigger than the result of men's under-18 singles in which Garry Dodd (pictured), a couple of hours later to be crowned island champion for the first time, lost in five sets to the outstanding young talent that is Olly Langlois.