Tapp has eyes on Games prize
ALEX TAPP has his eyes on an individual Island Games medal after becoming a Guernsey singles champion for the first time.
In Friday’s finals night of the Senior Closed Badminton Tournament, the 21-year-old overcame one-time winner Daniel Penney in the decisive men’s singles contest.
The younger player stamped his authority quickly in the first set at the Rohais Halls – scoring six straight points at one stage – only to be pulled back by some powerful shots from Penney.
From a slender 14-13 lead, he capitalised on his opponent’s mistakes to dominate the remainder of the set, which he took 21-15.
Similarly, Tapp used his energy and athleticism to make a significant break in the second set, which featured the odd impressive rally.
Despite a few blunders at match point, the youngster again prevailed 21-15.
‘It’s a really good feeling,’ he said after improving on last year’s second-place finish to Stuart Hardy.
‘I am over the moon. I came in as first seed and I knew there was a lot of good players I need to get through first, so I am really happy I played to a level that allowed me to get that win.
‘I knew Danny is a really good player, consistent and has really good shots. I knew I was going to have to be consistent and play the long game.’
Looking ahead after this notable first in his badminton career, he knows exactly what he wants to achieve over the next two years.
‘Island Games 2025, I would like to medal in an individual event.
‘And it might be a bit of a long shot, but it would be great to be in the next Commonwealth Games team as far as badminton is concerned.’
In a smaller women’s field, 13-year-old Medha Vallapureddy had performed impressively to make the final and initially tested Commonwealth Games player Emily Trebert.
But the strength and experience advantage of Trebert paid off as she secured a third straight title.
From an early score of 5-5, she claimed seven straight points and went on to take the set 21-10.
She made even lighter work of the second and cruised to a 21-8 victory.
‘I am really happy,’ she said from a personal perspective before crediting her young opponent.
‘Medha has come on so well.
‘I have got a few years on her, but she will be an absolutely cracking player when she’s my age.
‘I would say I was steady. I’m just trying to work on consistency rather than just using my strength.’
Although getting married next year will take precedence over her badminton, the experienced player added: ‘I would like to get to the next Island Games and be competitive, do one better than my [singles] bronze this year – that would be ideal. But luck of the draw and all that.’
Trebert emerged as the most decorated player of finals night.
Her next triumph came in the women’s doubles, where she formed an alliance with Maxine Fitzgerald to edge Charlotte Barnes and Kiara Mills 21-19 in the closest set of the night, before out-gunning them 21-14 in the second.
She then claimed a third in combining with younger brother David to defeat Tapp and Naomi Priest in the mixed doubles, winning 21-13, 21-14.
For David it was a second title, having teamed up with familiar partner Tapp just before to win the men’s doubles 21-10, 21-15 against Jonny Holmes and Andy Ward.
In the veterans’ doubles events, Andre Sidaner triumphed not just once but twice.
Contributing to another accolade for Guernsey’s golden badminton family, he joined Wendy Trebert – mother of Emily, David and the absent Jordan – to beat Chris Stagg and Josza Stoeckmann 21-18, 21-10.
He then partnered Kevin Le Moigne to a convincing 21-5, 21-12 triumph over Stagg and John Cook in the men’s doubles.
