The disappointment that squash won’t be offered in Aland in 2009 was shrugged off on another great day for Jersey as Ronnie Jubb took her second gold of the Games, in the women’s singles – and she still hasn’t dropped a set this week.
The 33-year-old breezed through her final against Guernsey’s Alison Strobridge 9-5, 9-5, 9-1.
World No 82 Michael Hopkins earned silver but was simply too shattered to take gold after a titanic semi-final with world No 68 and Island Games top seed Nicholas Kyme of Bermuda.
An exhausted Hopkins, who was receiving treatment right up to the start of the match and played with a heavily bandaged left thigh, lost in straight games 9-6, 9-4, 9-7.
After her win, and her second gold following Jersey’s team triumph, Ronnie Jubb said: ‘I’m thrilled – this was the one I’ve always wanted.
Because squash hasn’t been in the Games before I’ve always competed in badminton, but squash is really my sport.’ Just a week before the Games, Jubb’s place in the squad was in doubt after she was rushed to hospital with a heart scare.
This week she decided to play – against medical advice.
‘I was feeling really fit and well and I know my body’s limitations,’ she explained.
‘This game wasn’t that tough really, it was more tactical, and I knew my plan and stuck to it.
I’m not quite sure what my style is, but I just make sure I’m always a shot ahead and know exactly what I am going to do before I even move to hit the ball.’ Michael Hopkins played a brilliant match in the semi-final to come from two games down against Kyme, but the long match took its toll.
He won it 6-9, 4-9, 9-7, 9-1, 9-5.
In the final he faced Guernsey’s boy wonder Chris Simpson (18), who could see that Hopkins was tired and made him work for every point.
Afterwards Hopkins said: ‘He is getting better and he will be a very good player.
I was seeded fourth so I wanted to aim for third, but I managed to turn things around in the semi, which was fantastic, but very tiring.
I have to say that I am pleased with the silver.’
