This was the first time that Tanguy, the 5/8 seed, had reached a major final and he was very nervous.
In contrast Hibbs looked calm, forcing the less experienced Tanguy into more mistakes than he had done in the earlier rounds.
Hibbs ran out a comfortable 3-0 winner at the Jersey Squash Club, while in the men’s vintage competition Barry Middleton beat the No 2 seed Gordon Burgis, for the first time, 3-0.
Martin Scriven beat Ernie Bird 3-0.
The Insurance Corporation Jersey Senior Closed squash championships start in earnest today at the Jersey squash club.The most prestigious event in Jersey’s squash calendar, they include men’s A, women’s, men’s B, men’s vets and men’s vintage competitions – as well as plate events.The Men’s A event boasts the strongest ever line-up with all of Jersey’s leading players competing in a draw restricted to 16.
Top seed Mike Hopkins is ranked 111 in the world (2004) and is red-hot favourite.
Rob Hickling, who has won the event for the past three years, is seeded two and is hitting a rich vein of form just at the right time.
Ian Furness and Mark Le Roux, both riding high in the individual leagues, are seeded 3/4.
Also in contention are Jon Hibbs, Paul Frankland, Jon Wood, Steve Law, Trevor Griggs and Hugh Jones – all are capable of springing surprises.In the ladies’ event Ronnie Jubb is top seed and Kate Cadigan second.
Both will be representing Jersey in the NatWest Island Games in the Shetlands next year and this event is likely to be the first of several tournament encounters between Jersey’s top two ladies to see who takes top slot in the Shetlands.
Junior champion Tam Weston is also to compete.The men’s B event (open to players from just outside the top division) should feature some fiercely fought matches.
The top seeds are Chris Fuller (who knocked out higher ranked players in the Over 35 event) Sean Blake, Si Aziz, Scott Gautier and Morgan Jubb.It’s also an open competition in the men’s vets (over 45).
Hugh Jones is top seed but will be challenged strongly by Allen Brown, John Farley, Steve Law, Paul Biddulph and Neal Pickersgill.
In the men’s vintage (over 55) Martyn Scriven and Gordon Burgis look likely to progress through to the final.
