Downer broke the Duck

Guernsey made the long trip to the IOW on Saturday to face the undefeated IOW team. Albeit nearly catching the wrong ferry they finally arrived.

Into the single was the Vicky Law, Jane Jackson Ian Walder and Kez Downer. The ladies put up a brave battle but were overpowered by the opposition. Ian went about his usual business and took an easy victory from his opposite no.1 man, whilst also entertaining the on-looking crowd. Kez however lost his first game but after a few funny faces dug deep and won the second game taking it to a decider in the third, which he finished off quickly leaving his opposite number looking dejected at the end and broke his duck in winning his first singles game this season. So after the first round it was level at 2 all.

The levels next with Ady White joining Jane had a tough fight against there opposite number but coming out winners in 3 sets and then going on to beat Guernsey’s 2nd pair in another 3 set thriller. Caroline Pearson and Karin Murrant teamed together, whilst they lost to the 2nd pair they regrouped and took the 1st pair to 3 games only to narrowly miss out. Paul Royl was back after injury and teamed up with Kez where they both played on top form and won both games with ease. Ian teamed up with Richard Gray and also won both of there games in quick succession, with one of the supporters saying it looked like Ian was still playing singles.

IOW had a healthy lead of 8 – 4 now with the mixed to go but needing 2 out the 3 to get max points. Ian and Ady teamed up and had a tough battle as Ian tired from all his singles but came out winners in 3 sets, where as Paul and Jane, Kez and Karin made quick work and won there games in quickly making the mixed a clean sweep.

Final score 11 – 4 to the IOW’ers making Manager Martin Taylor very pleased with the teams efforts and rewarded Kez with Man of the Match.

This makes IOW top of the division and playing the second from top Somerset this Sunday 30th, 1pm at Sandown school, please feel free to come along and support.

The islanders were without one of its top players due to an injury. The manager set out his game plan and the team went on to do battle. Karrin Murrant played her first county singles this year and came up trumps with a win, Ian Walder soon followed with another win. Kez Downer also playing his first county singles this year took his opponent to a close fought 3rd game only to narrowly miss out. This left Jane Jackson to play against their star vet, which went to 3 sets with Jane just losing.

So at 2 all it was on to the levels, in the men’s it was a clean sweep with Richard Gray and Ian winning both games which was matched by Kez and Rudi Hendon-John. In the ladies Jane and Ady White matched the men by taking both of there games. Karrin and Caroline Pearson beat the 2nd pair but just missed out against the 1st Pair. So with a healthy lead of 9 -3 it just left mixed games. Ian and Ady, Richard and Jane, Kez and Karrin.

Amazingly they all finished within 10 seconds of each other with all 3 victories meaning an excellent win of 12 – 3 to the islanders with full points.

It Started well with the men’s singles Paul Royl and Chris Massey winning both games. However Vicky Law and Jane Jackson put up a brave fight but were over powered in their singles games. Paul, then joined with Kes Downer in the doubles swiftly dispatched both of Somerset’s pairs as did Richard Gray and Ian Walder in their 2 matches.

The Ladies doubles was a tighter contest, Jane Jackson now joined with Ady White beating Somerset’s first pair in a nail biting 3 sets, but then narrowly losing to their 2nd Pair. Karin Murrant and Caroline Pearson put in a great fight against both pairs taking them to 3 sets in each but narrowly missing out.

Finally the mixed games where Ian and Ady, Paul and Jane both won their mixed games with ease. Kes and Karin took their game to 3 but just losing out in the end, giving an overall victory of 9-6 to the IOW.

Jane Jackson was named Player of the Match by Martin Taylor County Manager.

Representatives from the Junior County Squad travelled to Hastings on Sunday 30th November 2008 to play Sussex.  17 players and 3 coaches took the Wightbus for the 2 hour trip.  80 games were played in all, with the Island players running out overall winners by 43-37.  This has to be seen as a superb result for the Island teams as Sussex are a very well-established squad.

The games were all played in an atmosphere of really good spirit and the attitude from both teams was extremely positive.  We are anticipating a return match in January – Island venue to be decided.

Cleet Holmberg

Academy Manager