With Hopkins aiming to exact revenge for his earlier loss to Hickling in this season’s CI Championships, his tactics were clear from the start – to cut out the unforced errors that had dogged him in their previous encounter and increase the tempo of the rallies to take advantage of the 15 years in age that separates the two players.
And indeed it was the physical superiority of Hopkins’ game that had most effect as Hickling seemed to tire at important stages in the match.
Hickling started well, soaking up the early pressure to win a tight first game in which Hopkins made three or four unforced errors to have the crowd thinking Hickling could be on course to record successive victories over last year’s winner.
However, these errors proved to be the 29-year-old’s last and he won the second game easily.
The third and fourth games were tighter as Hopkins continued to play at a fast pace hitting powerful, straight lengths and accurate boasts that were sapping the strength from Hickling.
Nevertheless, Hickling continued to play clever squash to keep in touch but couldn’t deny a determined Hopkins who, to his credit, remained focused and strong throughout the third and fourth games to record a satisfying 3-1 win and retain his Island Championship trophy.
Reflecting on his victory, Hopkins said: ‘I didn’t play my best, but considering the amount of time I had to prepare I was happy with how it went.
‘Because of a lack of enthusiasm I haven’t been on court since the CI final so I had something to prove to myself.
‘I’m back playing again now and have just signed up to play for my old club again,’ he added.
In the men’s C event Jeremy Rothwell beat Barry Middleton 3-0, while the men’s B event was won by Oliver Duquemin who showed remarkable fitness in beating Si Aziz in a tough four set match having earlier beaten his twin brother Ben in an equally tough four set match for the under-19 title.
Jon Hibbs retained his over-35 title with a 3-0 win over Hugh Jones who earlier regained the O45 title after beating Steve Law, 3-0, to continue his dominance of this event.
The O55 final saw a first time win in this event for Allen Brown, who despite losing a tight first game ran out a comfortable 3-1 winner over John Farley.
In the ladies’ final, the top seed and firm favourite, Kate Cadigan dominated from the outset and won in straight sets over Rowena Hockey.
While the Island U15 title went to Allan Magee who beat the up and coming talent of Luke Walker, 3-0.
The U13 Champion is Max Tupper who beat Mark Hickling, 3-0, in a tense final to level the family battle as earlier his brother Hugo had lost to Paul Hickling in the U11 final.
President of the JSRA, Steve Law, commented after the event: ‘This has been one of the best championships for years, we’ve had good crowds all day and they have been treated to high quality squash.
‘Most encouraging has been the performances of the junior players, the U11, 13 and 15 finals, in particular, were fantastic and it shows the talent that exists in Jersey with an incredible mens final showing them and all players the standard to aspire to.’
