JERSEY Tennis will welcome a hungry Guernsey contingent this weekend, with a record 32 players set to compete in this year’s inter-insular.
Action begins at 1.30pm tomorrow at Caesarean Tennis Club and continues through to Sunday, with Jersey’s players preparing to defend their home-advantage against a strong Sarnian challenge.
The increased numbers promise an expanded programme for the 2026 edition, as Jersey look to retain the Bucktrout Trophy after an 8-4 win on neighbouring soil last year secured a fourth consecutive inter-insular triumph.
Many of last year’s competitors return, but Men’s Open captain James Faudemer believes Guernsey will provide a tougher test this time around.
“Guernsey are bringing a couple of stronger players this year than last year. It will be more challenging. Their women’s team is always strong.”
Despite recognising the threat, Faudemer remains confident in Jersey’s overall strength. He said: “We’re pretty strong in all our teams, but things are never won on paper. You look at the match-ups and you’re quite confident you should get the job done.
“It’s never easy, especially with the format, third sets and a tie-break shootout. You have to concentrate.”
The Men’s skipper is also pleased to see the event grow, with the Over-45s joining the Open competition this year.
“It’s a bigger event, which is really good. The Over-45s are joined with the Open, which should be fun.
“More bodies involved means more people watching, which hopefully means an even better atmosphere.”
For Faudemer, the captaincy is less about dictating how his players approach their matches and more about creating the right environment for them to perform.
“Everyone knows their job. We’ve got good experience on the men’s side. We also have a few younger players on the women’s side, which is great.
“We know each other pretty well – we’ve played a lot of matches and tournaments together. These guys know what they’re doing.”
He believes making every player feel valued is particularly important for those stepping into the senior setup for the first time.
“It is just making sure there’s a good environment around the players and that everyone feels like they’re a big part of the team, especially for the younger players because it can be quite daunting. “Once you’re on the court, it is down to you.”
The integration of juniors into the senior ranks has been an encouraging development for Jersey, and Faudemer expects that pathway to continue producing the island’s next generation.
“What you’ll probably find in the next few years is that those juniors who are 14 or 15, they will be in this team from next year onwards.
“I want those juniors to be taking my spot in the next few years.”
On a personal note, the captain is looking forward to getting back into the competitive environment after enjoying straight-set victories in last year’s competition.
“I haven’t played loads in the lead-up as I coach, so I’m on court with players a lot. Tactically, I can work things out.
“Physically, it’s a little bit harder now, but hopefully we can get another win on Saturday.”
Away from the battle for island bragging rights, there is also an intriguing subplot involving the top seeds on both sides of the Channel.
Jersey’s leading men’s and women’s players, Marnix Van Dalen and Natasha Forrest, are a couple, having met while playing tennis in America. The same can be said for Guernsey’s top seeds, Lauren Watson-Steele and Olly Cull, who have recently become engaged after also meeting through the sport Stateside.
Watson-Steele, who has developed a fierce rivalry with Forrest over recent years, will now have an added personal connection to the opposition.
From the US to the Channel Islands, the top seeds will bring plenty of quality to the courts this weekend – with island bragging rights, and perhaps a little dinner-table rivalry, also up for grabs.
Jersey squads:
Men’s Open: Marnix Van Dalen, Luca Paciello, James Faudemer (c), Reuben Davey Reserve: Simon Di Meo
Ladies’ Open: Natasha Forrest, Eva Hurst, Isabella Aldridge, Triona O’Callaghan
Men’s Over 45’s: Robert Hannah, Adam Bayley (c), Simon Di Meo, Rychlund Aldridge, Lee Ingram, Ian Baggett
Ladies’ Over 45’s: Rebecca Edwards, Karen Barnes, Sonia Smith, Noel Hurst
Guernsey squads:
Men’s Open: Olly Cull, Tom Turner, Rob West (c), Marcus Thomas
Ladies’ Open: Lauren Watson-Steele, Lauren Barker, Lauren Coutanche, Keeleigh Le Tissier
Men’s Over 45’s: Dan Strappini, Bob Strappini (c), Tristan Cairns, Chris Ash
Ladies’ Over 45’s: Helen Barker, Susie Sloman
Order of Play
Saturday 7 November
1.30pm
Reuben Davy v Marcus Thomas (Men’s Singles)
Triona O’Callaghan v Keeleigh Le Tissier (Ladies’ Singles)
Robert Hannah & Adam Bayley v Tristan Cairns & Chris Ash (Men’s Over 45’s Doubles)
Simon Di Meo & Rychlund Aldridge v Dan Strappini & Bob Strappini (Men’s Over 45’s Doubles
Sonia Smith & Noel Hurst v Helen Barker & Susie Sloman (Ladies Over 45’s Doubles)
3pm
Luca Paciello v Tom Turner (Men’s Singles)
Isabella Aldridge v Lauren Coutanche (Ladies’ Singles)
Rebecca Edwards & Karen Barnes v Helen Barker & Susie Sloman (Ladies’ Over 45’s Doubles)
Robert Hannah & Adam Bayley v Dan Strappini & Bob Strappini (Men’s Over 45’s Doubles)
Simon Di Meo & Ryhlund Aldridge v Tristan Cairns & Chris Ash (Men’s Over 45’s Doubles)
4.30pm
James Faudemer v Rob West (Men’s Singles)
Eva Hurst v Lauren Barker (Ladies’ Singles)
6pm
Marnix Van Dalen v Olly Cull (Men’s Singles)
Natasha Forrest v Lauren Watson-Steele (Ladies’ Singles)
Sunday 8 November
9am
Robert Hannah & Rebecca Edwards v Dan Strappini & Susie Sloman (Mixed Doubles)
Adam Bayley & Sonia Smith v Bob Strappini & Helen Barker (Mixed Doubles)
Lee Ingram & Karen Barnes v Tristan Cairns & Lauren Coutanche (Mixed Doubles)
Rychlund Aldridge & Noel Hurst v Chris Ash & Keeleigh Le Tissier (Mixed Doubles)
10.30am
Lee Ingram & Ian Baggett v TBD (Men’s Doubles)
Triona O’Callaghan & Isabelle Aldridge v Lauren Coutanche & Keeleigh Le Tissier (Ladies’ Doubles)
James Faudemer & Simon Di Meo v Tom Turner & Marcus Thomas (Men’s Doubles)
Natasha Forrest & Eva Hurst v Lauren Barker & Lauren Watson-Steele (Ladies’ Doubles)
Marnix Van Dalen & Reuben Davy v Olly Cull & Rob West (Men’s Doubles)
