Silcock’s crown

Teenager Hannah Silcock won the Women’s Open title at the PwC Jersey Grand Prix Picture: PAUL ROUTIER

HANNAH SILCOCK claimed her maiden PwC Jersey Grand Prix title in dramatic fashion, as the event returned following a four-year hiatus.

The 15-year-old twice came from behind to defeat England U21 standout Jodie Morris 3-2 in the Women’s Open final, after not dropping a single game en route to the showdown at the Geoff Reed Centre.

Group wins came against Alderney number one Marli Barker, Scotland U19 champion Holly McNamara and up-and-coming Jersey talent Anna Middleton.

She then had to face her sister, Kathryn, in the semi final, after she finished second in her group.

In the first-to-three-games format, Silcock was 2-1 down in the final, but dug deep to claim the next two 11-7 and 11-4 to etch her name into the history books as only the second Jersey winner and first since Kay Lefebvre in 2008.

The teenager said: ‘It’s always really nice to play in a tournament like this at home. I have enjoyed the travel and playing away, but to welcome players from all around Europe to Jersey is special.

‘The women’s draw had some top UK talent playing so it is very different to our usual competitions locally.

‘Usually when I’m away it is just my dad cheering me on, so to play at home and have the local spectators and other players cheering you on, it is a great feeling.’

Elsewhere, in the Men’s Open draw, local hopes were pinned on Sweden-based Jordan Wykes and fellow British Championships medallist Luc Miller.

However, it was a familiar tussle in the final, with now six-time winner Chris Doran, the former English number three, defeating old foe Darius Knight 3-1.

Wykes got his revenge on Miller with a 3-1 success over his fellow Islander in the quarter-final, after losing 3-2 earlier in the tournament, in the men’s team event.

However, he would fall 3-1 to Olympian Knight in the semi-final.

Millar said: ‘It was a really special feeling being out there as the event hadn’t been hosted since the pandemic. It always serves as the highlight event on the calendar for us so we are very grateful that PwC could sponsor it and bring it back for another year.

‘The event draws some top-quality players and being able to welcome them to Jersey is great.

‘Playing away from home for the majority of the time, it makes you really appreciate the home support during an event as high-profile as this.

‘We are at a stage now where table tennis in Jersey is really developing. We have some great players with the likes of Jordan Wykes and Hannah Silcock, but also down into the juniors. There is some top talent coming through and hopefully I can help inspire them to continue their journey in the sport.

‘I was very lucky to have some terrific role models growing up. Max and Hugo Tupper were key for me as well as Geoff Reed, who the venue is named after. His legacy was to give all players the opportunity to play, regardless of their age or ability.

‘I think this tournament is a huge part in that legacy and will help provide a better future for the players to come.’

Meanwhile, there was an all-Jersey men’s veterans final, as Mariusz Ciemnski beat Eugine Ellis 3-1 [11-5, 11-9, 11-3].

Hannah Silcock also claimed the U21 Women’s crown, again against Morris, this time in a more straight-forward 3-0 win [11-8, 11-5 12-10].

The duo did pair up for Women’s Team success over Kathryn Silcock and Scotland’s McNamara.

Djen Barx claimed the Men’s U21 final with a 3-1 success over Owen Brown.

Netherlands representative Barx attends Grantham College Table Tennis Academy, where both Wykes and Millar plied their trade.

Wykes enjoyed victory as part of the Men’s Team competition, pairing with Chris Doran to see off the challenge of Luc Millar and Guernsey’s Garry Dodd.

Final results

Men’s Open winner: Chris Doran. Runner-up: Darius Knight. Semi-finalists: Jordan Wykes and Radoslav Kamberov.

Women’s Open: Hannah Silcock. Runner-up: Jodie Morris. Semi-finalists: Kathryn Silcock and Holly McNamara.

Men’s Team: Chris Doran and Jordan Wykes. Runners up: Luc Miller and Garry Dodd.

Women’s Team: Hannah Silcock and Jodie Morris. Runners up: Kathryn Silcock and Holly McNamara.

Veterans Team: Mariusz Cieminski and Grzegorz Frankowski. Runners up: Eugene Ellis and Ian Lambert.

Junior Team: Joseph Dennison and Joseph Marlor. Runners up: Djen Bakx and Gabriel Schogger.

Under 21 Men’s: Djen Barx. Runner-up: Owen Brown.

Under 21 Women’s: Hannah Silcock. Runner-up: Jodie Morris.

Veterans: Mariusz Cieminski. Runner-up: Eugine Ellis.

Restricted Singles: Chris Doran. Runner-up: Luke Greenfield.

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