THE Jersey Squash & Racketball Club celebrated an outstanding comeback victory to win the inter-insular 15-12 overall against Guernsey on Saturday and retain the trophy.
The visitors fought gallantly to try to wrestle the trophy back to Sarnian shores with the match tied going into the deciding men’s squash A games.
But Jersey just had too much class in the end and pushed on for the win.
“Whilst the final scoreline suggests a comfortable win for Jersey, at various stages during the day it was not looking so,” said JSRC secretary, Susan Turpin.
“The ladies’ racketball and men’s veterans squash events were comfortably won by Guernsey, which put us 6-1 down early.
“The racketball B team got us back on track, however, winning their category by a brilliant 5-0.”
Richard Brocken, number one seed for Jersey in the racketball, won his contest against Sarnian opponent Laurence Graham in straight games.
He said after his victory: “It was a tiring match, but I was delighted to get the victory.
“We have a really strong team and it was great to contribute to our score with a good result.
“The tradition of the inter-insular stands firm and it’s always exciting to get to compete against the old enemy.
“But the sportsmanship across the event was excellent and, as much as we want to beat each other, that mutual respect is the most important thing.”
With the contest tied at 12-12, it was over to the men’s squash players. Caesarean number one seed Charlie Griggs produced an outstanding performance to overcome his opposite number and put Jersey in the lead for the first time and on their way to victory.
Griggs said: “It was such a good feeling to retain the inter-insular on home turf.
“The inter-insular is always a big rivalry and a contest that both Islands always want to win.
“I love having the opportunity to represent my Island and always try to take every chance I can to do so with pride.
“Guernsey are a tough opposition, who have had some outstanding players over the years so they’re always a tough test for us.
“The contest offers our young players great experience at competing at a good level under pressure and we had a great crowd in, too, which always adds some extra nerves.
“But it often offers much more than just the competition, it offers our players the chance to compete off-Island.
“We are lucky as an Island team to get the opportunities we do to test ourselves abroad.
“It’s invaluable experience, especially for our younger players for their development.”
There was an excellent level on display from Jersey’s younger athletes. Squash player Stanley Tanguy was at his best in his A team debut victory over Guernsey’s Patrick Josey.
But it was 17-year-old Charlie Bullock, competing in the men’s squash B, who stole the show with his memorable comeback win.
Bullock, who looked down and out at 2-0 down, brought the match back to 2-2 with some outstanding squash. The teenager again found himself staring down the barrel in the deciding game, 8-4 down on points. However, he showed some serious nerve and skills to eventually claw back the deficit and win 11-9 to spark jubilant scenes in the crowd.
The final match of the contest saw the current Jersey squash champion, Matt Boote, wow the crowds with his skills.
His 3-1 win over Guernsey’s number one seed, Henry Birch, was full of class and ultimately brought the trophy home.
Boote said: “You can see the passion for the inter-insular from both sides is so infectious.
“Although this is an individual sport, this format is set up like the Ryder Cup style where the whole team is pulling in the same direction.
“You have the chance to cheer on your teammates and then have them all behind you when you play yourself, which is amazing.
“Wherever you are seeded, every game counts and, crucially, counts for the same value to the team’s overall score.
“The nerves were jangling. We had a good crowd in but that’s all part of the excitement of the occasion.
“The standard is really good on both sides and when you add in the rivalry it makes for some really exciting matches.
“We showed some brilliant character and fight to turn the score around and get over the line.
“We have retained the trophy on home soil and we’re absolutely delighted about it.”
The next big event for the Jersey Men’s and Ladies squash players will be the European Team Championships in Bucharest, Romania, from 17-21 April.
Jersey are very pleased to be taking a ladies team for the first time since 2017.
The team is still looking for a sponsor and any interested parties can contact Andrew Lewis at info@jerseysquash.org.je.
