WITH the scar tissue still fresh from doubles whitewash in Guernsey last year, Jersey turned the tables on their neighbours to regain the inter-insular by the finest of margins.
The Caesareans had won every instalment of the Bucktrout Trophy since 2008, until a shock 9-3 defeat on Sarnian soil last year.
However the side’s ‘teamwork and resilience’ was inspired.
‘I honestly don’t know how they did it, said a jubilant team manager Sonia Smith.
‘After losing all four doubles matches last year, it was a big focus for us in preparation, so we wanted to improve on that. But to take all four of the matches … I didn’t think was possible, so I am so proud of them all.’
Doubles specialists Rob Hannah and Adam Bailey notched the first point in straight sets, quickly followed by James Faudemer and captain Scott Weaver, also in straight sets.
All eyes turned to the women’s matches, where Clare Clarke and Antonija Sokic came through a nail-biter to win in a champions tie-break.
With one match remaining, Jersey needed a win to reclaim the title.
Karin Chymcakova and Sarah Jones, with the weight of Jersey on their shoulders, came from a set down to force a champions tie-break, which they duly won 10-7 to send the Caesarean Tennis Club into hysterics.
‘They were all brilliant, but the pressure on Karin and Sarah – being the only match remaining with everyone crowded around – was huge.
‘To fight from a set down with the result of the inter-insular on the line was exceptional and if anything they raised their game when the pressure mounted.’
Weaver was another who was taken aback by the magnitude of Jersey’s fightback.
‘I didn’t think we would win all four of the doubles matches,’ he admitted.
‘We said that if we can share the doubles with two wins apiece, it would be a big improvement on last year.
‘I think we began to believe as the matches came in.
‘Rob and Adam had won before us, so when we won, it was straight over to the other dome to watch the ladies, who did brilliantly to come through in champions tie breaks.
‘Playing home inter-insulars are always special to have the fans on our side, but I think especially after losing last year, to regain the cup in that fashion is unbelievable.’
The neighbours will now put rivalries aside to team up for the upcoming County Cup, representing the Channel Islands.
What was clear to see was the spirit in which the matches were played in, perhaps unsurprisingly between a group of players who know each other so well.
Smith said: ‘I think our relationship has grown over the years in tennis.
‘We still obviously want to win, but there have been some great friendships that have come out of playing together.
‘Most of them have been teammates in the County Cup, so naturally that has helped strengthen an important bond between the two Islands.’
Full results (Jersey named first)
Singles: James Faudemer beat Rob West (6-4, 6-4); Scott Weaver lost Nico Robinson (4-6, 3-6); Tomas Nadassky bt Marcus Thomas (6-3, 3-6, (10-2)); Aaron Higgins lst Ben Wentzel (6-2, 4-6, (9-11)); Karin Chymcakova lst Lauren Watson-Steele (3-6, 6-7); Antonija Sokic lst Jo Dyer (0-6, 6-7); Clare Clarke lst Lauren Barker (1-6, 3-6); Sarah Jones bt Imogen Wegerer (6-0, 6-1).
Jersey 3-5 Guernsey
Doubles: Faudemer/Weaver bt West/Robinson (6-4, 6-1); Rob Hannah/Adam Bailey bt Thomas/Wentzel (6-0, 6-3); Chymcakova/Jones bt Watson-Steele/Barker (5-7, 6-4, (10-7)); Clarke/Sokic bt Dyer/Wegerer (6-1, 2-6, (10-7)).
Jersey 4 – 0 Guernsey
Overall: Jersey 7 – 5 Guernsey
