ON a weekend that went to the respective away teams, Jersey and Guernsey shared the honours in the U18 and U14 inter-insulars.
On Sarnian soil, the Jersey U14s were in scintillating form to win 0-6, without dropping a single set throughout the day.
Meanwhile, at the Caesarean Tennis Club, Guernsey impressively took the U18 crown with a 4-8 win over the hosts.
Guernsey’s strength showed, with siblings Liam and Chloe de la Mare leading the way.
However, according to head coach Scott Weaver, the 4-8 scoreline reflected harshly on those in red.
“I kind of thought it was going to be close, but 4-8 probably doesn’t show how tight it was.
“We had three tight three-set losses, which easily could have gone either way.
“Overall, I think Guernsey were perhaps slightly stronger on paper, but if a couple of those three-set matches fell our way, the result could have been entirely different.”
The short-handed Jersey side were missing three key names both through injury and unavailability.
In the girls’ U18 matches, the Sarnians took three matches to Jersey’s one.
Anais McDermott grabbed the host’s lone point with some outstanding play, while Jasmine Derrien competed excellently, but ultimately came up just short.
Chloe Laisney fought admirably against a strong opponent and, on the top court, crowds were treated to a valiant performance from Triona O’Callaghan against the formidable Chloe de la Mare.
Meanwhile, Jersey claimed two wins in the boys’ singles courtesy of Max Forbes, who played excellently, and Sam Carnegie, who would go the entire day undefeated with a doubles win to their name.
Guernsey led 3-5 heading into the double rubbers and, despite Jesper Jensen and Sonny Derrien playing some exceptional tennis testing the strong Guernsey boys, the doubles proved too much of a test, with the audience on the edge of their seats.
Forbes and Carnegie clinically took the sole Jersey win, which just wasn’t enough. Well played to Guernsey! It was a great day and all played in excellent spirits. Thanks to Scott Weaver (Jersey coach) and Lauren Coutanche (Guernsey coach), without whom this amazing annual event would not be possible.
Weaver added: “Of course, the side were gutted to have lost, but I was really proud of their attitude.
“They came off the court after giving it absolutely everything and that’s great to see as a coach.
“Some days, the win isn’t there, but you can take a lot of comfort in knowing that you didn’t let your heads drop.”
Over in Guernsey, it was far more one-sided, as the visiting Jersey boys dominated from start to finish to win 0-6.
However, there were some tight affairs, with Jersey number one seed Jonty Porter recovering from 0-4 down in the opening set to win 7-6 over the gritty Danny Conchar.
Porter’s level raised and he would coast to a 6-1 win in the second set.
Jersey number two Louis Glancy continued the momentum to win 6-2, 6-2, epitomised by attacking tennis, while third seed Moley Carnegie-Bedlow won 7-5, 6-1.
He came through a tense opening set to win, before cruising through the second, with superior serving and use of his forehand.
Tyrone Niculae completed the singles sweep with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 win over Fabian Boylett.
The doubles ensued and Porter and Carnegie-Bedlow won 6-1, 6-4, before the duo of Glancy and Niculae rounded off the clean sweep with a 6-1, 6-1 straight-sets win.
Sonia Smith, the chair of the Jersey Tennis Association, said: “It was so great to see our U14 Boys show their strength in Guernsey.
“We have a great core of young boys here and we need to ensure we encourage the girls to come through also.
“In Jersey, the girls were superb, particularly Anais [McDermott] with a stunning performance to win her singles match.
“There were so many of the U18 matches that could have gone either way, so it was a brilliant event to watch.
“We now get to team up with Guernsey for the County Cup, which is always interesting.
“The sportsmanship on display over the event was brilliant and that comes from how strong their relationships have developed travelling away with each other.
Jersey U18s Boys: Jesper Jensen, Sonny Derrien, Max Forbes, Sam Carnegie
Jersey U18s Girls: Triona O’Callaghan, Issy Aldridge, Jasmine Derrien, Anais McDermott
Jersey U14s: Jonty Porter, Moley Carnegie-Bedlow, Tyrone Niculae, Louis Glancy
