JERSEY retained the Bucktrout Trophy for a fifth consecutive year after overcoming Guernsey in the Open and Over-45s competitions during an action-packed weekend of inter-insular tennis at Caesarean Tennis Club.
The hosts secured an 8-4 victory in the Open competition before their Over-45 counterparts completed a 9-2 success, continuing Jersey’s dominance in both categories.
Sonia Smith, chair of Jersey Tennis and Padel and vice-chair of Channel Islands Tennis and Padel, said the standard of tennis on display was exceptional.
“The standard was unbelievable. The pace of the rallies, and the fact that neither player seemed able to miss, was just incredible. It was like watching a professional match,” she said.
Jersey’s Open men made a perfect start, winning all four singles matches.
Marnix Van Dalen, Luca Paciello, captain James Faudemer and Reuben Davey all secured straight-set victories, with Paciello particularly impressive in a 6-1, 6-0 win over Tom Turner.
Smith believes Thursday county training sessions have played a significant role in the team’s development. “We’ve got so much depth now, and this amazing group of players have been training against each other regularly,” she said.
“Previously, some players would only come out of the woodwork for the match itself without getting enough preparation beforehand.”
Faudemer also impressed against Guernsey captain Rob West, winning 6-2, 6-2, while Davey defeated Marcus Thomas 6-1, 6-2.
The women’s singles were shared, with Natasha Forrest beating Lauren Watson-Steele 6-0, 6-1 and Eva Hurst overcoming Lauren Barker 7-5, 6-2. Isabella Aldridge and Triona O’Callaghan were beaten in their respective matches.
Forrest and Hurst then combined to win their doubles 6-1, 6-1, while Guernsey claimed the other women’s doubles and men’s doubles matches to leave the Open contest 4-2 in the visitors’ favour heading into Sunday.
Jersey’s Over-45s had also faced a tougher challenge than their previous year’s 12-0 victory, with Guernsey’s Chris Ash and Tristan Cairns producing two impressive men’s doubles wins.
However, Jersey claimed the other three men’s doubles matches, while Rebecca Edwards and Karen Barnes, followed by Smith and Noel Hurst, secured convincing victories in the women’s competition.
That left Jersey’s Over-45s 4-2 ahead before Sunday’s four mixed doubles matches, where they completed a clean sweep to secure the trophy.
Robert Hannah and Edwards won 6-1, 6-2, while Adam Bayley and Smith followed with a 6-2, 6-1 success.
The other two pairings also came through against younger opposition drafted in from Guernsey’s Open squad.
Smith said: “Some of our ladies were understandably worried, looking at these younger players who were hitting the ball hard and looking very athletic.
“I kept telling them that experience counts for so much in doubles, and I told them to believe in themselves and go out there and compete. They both won their matches!”
In the Open competition, Forrest and Hurst’s doubles victory was another highlight, while a last-minute men’s pairing of Simon Di Meo and George Dupays narrowly lost a championship tie-break 10-8 after fighting back from a set down.
The final men’s doubles encounter between Van Dalen and Davey and Guernsey’s Olly Cull and West provided a fitting finale. Despite the overall result already being decided, the intensity remained high, with Jersey eventually winning a championship tie-break.
Davey produced the decisive moment, smashing a forehand down the middle between the two Guernsey net players to seal victory.
Smith also praised the contribution of Adam Bayley, who has led the county training sessions, and paid tribute to tournament sponsors SaSo Strategic Advisors. A minute’s silence was also held in recognition of Remembrance Day.
“I’m incredibly proud of Jersey. We’re an amazing team now, and we’re so close-knit,” she said.
“The county training sessions have really brought everyone together, and we work brilliantly as a group. Some of the partnerships we’ve developed are just dream teams. It’s a really exciting time for Jersey tennis.”
Jersey squad
Men’s Open: James Faudemer (c), Marnix Van Dalen, Luca Paciello, Reuben Davey, (Reserve) Simon Di Meo
Ladies’ Open: Natasha Forrest, Eva Hurst, Isabella Aldridge, Triona O’Callaghan
Men’s O45s: Adam Bayley (c), Robert Hannah, Simon Di Meo, Rychlund Aldridge, Lee Ingram, Ian Baggett
Ladies’ O45s: Rebecca Edwards, Karen Barnes, Sonia Smith, Noel Hurst
Guernsey squad
Men’s Open: Rob West (c), Olly Cull, Tom Turner, Marcus Thomas
Ladies’ Open: Lauren Watson-Steele, Lauren Baker, Lauren Coutanche, Keeleigh Le Tissier
Men’s O45s: Bob Strappini (c), Dan Strappini, Tristan Cairns, Chris Ash
Ladies’ O45s: Helen Barker, Susie Sloman, Lauren Coutanche, Keeleigh Le Tissier
2026 Bucktrout Trophy Inter-Insular results
Open: Jersey 8-4 Guernsey
Men’s Singles:
Martin Van Dalen beat Olly Cull 6-2, 6-4
Luca Paciello beat Tom Turner 6-1, 6-0
James Faudemer beat Rob West 6-2, 6-2
Reuben Davey beat Marcus Thomas 6-1, 6-2
Men’s Doubles:
Marnix Van Dalen & Reuben Davey beat Olly Cull & Rob West 6-3, 7-6
Simon Di Meo & George Dupays lost to Tom Turner & Marcus Thomas 2-6, 6-2, 7-10
Ladies’ Singles:
Natasha Forrest beat Lauren Watson-Steele 6-0, 6-1
Eva Hurst beat Lauren Barker 7-5, 6-2
Isabella Aldridge lost to Lauren Coutanche 6-7, 3-6
Triona O’Callaghan lost to Keeleigh Le Tissier 6-3, 1-6, 6-10
Ladies’ Doubles:
Natasha Forrest & Eva Hurst beat Lauren Barker & Lauren Watson-Steele 6-1, 6-1
Triona O’Callaghan & Isabella Aldridge lost to Lauren Coutanche & Keeleigh Le Tissier 4-6, 6-0, 9-11
Over 45s: Jersey 9-2 Guernsey
Men’s O45 Doubles:
Robert Hannah & Adam Bayley beat Dan Strappini & Bob Strappini 6-2, 6-2
Simon Di Meo & Rychlund Aldridge lost to Tristan Cairns & Chris Ash 4-6, 6-2, 8-10
Robert Hannah & Adam Bayley lost to Tristan Cairns & Chris Ash 2-6, 3-6
Simon Di Meo & Rychlund Aldridge beat Dan Strappini & Bob Strappini 6-2, 6-0
Lee Ingram & Ian Baggett beat Dan Strappini & Tristan Cairns 6-2, 6-2
Ladies’ O45 Doubles:
Rebecca Edwards & Karen Barnes beat Helen Barker & Susie Sloman 6-0, 6-1
Sonia Smith & Noel Hurst beat Helen Barker & Susie Sloman 6-1, 6-1
O45 Mixed Doubles:
Robert Hannah & Rebecca Edwards beat Dan Strappini 6-1, 6-2
Adam Bayley & Sonia Smith beat Bob Strappini & Helen Barker 6-2, 6-1
Lee Ingram & Karen Barnes beat Tristan Cairns & Lauren Coutanche 7-5, 6-3
Rychlund Aldridge & Noel Hurst beat Chris Ash & Keeleigh Le Tissier 7-6, 6-3
