Radford and Dodd take top honours

The dismal Caesarean turnout of two competitors at Beau Sejour did not stop it from being a great contest between the top locals, though, with both of Guernsey’s recent individual NatWest Island Games medallists coming out top.

Janick Radford took Men’s A honours from the younger Patrick Josey – who had done well to reach the final – as Natalie Dodd lived up to her women’s No. 1 billing by winning in straight games.

After a first-round bye, Radford beat Matt Robin and Leo Fossey to book his place in the final.

Josey, on the other hand, won against Joe Fernandes and then secured his spot by upsetting Henry Birch in a five-set thriller.

In an exciting final with a number of long rallies, the more established Radford ultimately won 11-3, 11-7 and 11-8.

There had also been a well-contested racketball competition where Laurence Graham triumphed over Omar Kandili, while multiple competitors contested more than one category in the packed programme.

‘It was a very busy weekend,’ said development officer Martin Watts after both organising the tournament and winning the over-35s contest.

‘It’s good to see Patrick Josey get to the final – I think that’s his first final in a major event.

‘Janick won in three games, but the scores were quite close and it was a tight match between the two of them.’

Watts added of a women’s competition in which Jane Bourne-Williams made her competitive debut: ‘Natalie did win, but it’s good to see the other ladies playing.’

In reference to the lack of Jersey competitors, a stark difference to the near 25-strong entry for the last local edition, Watts blamed the ‘transition period’ in which they currently find themselves with in the absence of director Nick Taylor.

‘They’re just getting to grips with it, really.’

The next major event is the Ogier Island Racketball Championships from 6-8 December.