Over three days of glorious Guernsey Spring sunshine, The Sheppard’s Estate Agents LTA Regional Padel Tour Events took place over the weekend. With over 100 entries across seven events, the tournament marked the largest ever Padel event held on the island, with record field sizes in all categories.
For the first time, two LTA Youth Tour categories were included - with competitions in 18 and Under and 14 and Under age groups. The success of the Guernsey Padel Club’s Schools Programme, run in conjunction with the Sports Commission, saw many children competing in their first ever matches. There were also five adult events - Men and Ladies Opens, Men and Ladies 40+ and Men’s 50+.
The Men’s Open Final gave us a taste of what is to come at the Inter-Insular later this year with Guernsey’s Jon Young and Rob West taking on Jersey’s Bero Bobus and Jon Southern. In a long match with many rallies of over 20 shots, both sides showed astonishing skill. After splitting sets, it was down to a Champions Tie Break to decide who would lift the trophy. On their fourth match point Young and West finally prevailed to rapturous applause from the home supporters.
The Ladies’ Open final was another competitive affair and saw more Guernsey vs Jersey rivalry with the home pairing of Chantelle De La Mare and Helen Polli taking on Emma Devenport from Jersey and her partner Sam Thornton from the UK. Chantelle and Helen took the first set 6-3, but the second set was much closer with several breaks of serve as the match reached its climax. The second set was decided on a tie-break in which De La Mare and Polli dominated to take the title.
It was the turn of the visitors to the island in the Men’s 40+ event with Jersey’s Bero Bobus and Jon Southern defeating Alex Grilo (ESP) and Drew Warren (GB). Alex Grilo, is a former top 50 player in the World, so it was a treat to be able to watch such a skilled player compete at close quarters. All credit to Bero and Jon, who played a strategic game against strong opposition and came out comfortably on top, winning 6-4, 6-2.
The Ladies 40+ event saw over twice as many entrants as event last year, a testament to the Club’s efforts to bring more women into the game through their hugely successful Try Padel scheme. However the final was a repeat of last year’s with Chantelle De La Mare and Helen Polli defeating Jo Robinson and Sara Woolland, 6-2, 6-2.
In the Men’s 50+ Final, the GB National Team pair of Andrew and Chris Warren were too strong for Dominic Woolland and Tim Edwards.
In the junior events, the level of play and sportsmanship was fantastic, with some exciting padel played which firmly puts Guernsey on the map in terms of our junior progression. In the 14U final, Logan and Freddie beat Rufus and George. The 18U final was a family affair, with two sets of siblings competing for the the title. In the end it was brother and sister, Chloe and Liam who put on a dominant display over twins Cameron and Luke. Chloe put in perhaps the stand out performance of the whole weekend, as the only girl on the court and at just 12 years old. She was over a foot smaller than the opposition and withstood an onslaught from the Gomes brothers, cementing her position already as one of the very best female players on the island.
Jon Sheppard, Managing Director of Sheppard’s Estate Agents said “We are so thrilled to have been able to support the LTA Padel Tour events here in Guernsey. To see how the event has grown since last year is astonishing and we have really enjoyed the added junior events and larger fields, and look forward to working with the Guernsey Padel Club in the future as the sport continues to grow and grow.’
Andy Privett, Director of the Guernsey Padel Club added “It’s wonderful to see the Club full of people enjoying both playing and supporting padel on the island. The increase in participation in padel continues apace and it is exciting to see the improvement in the level of play as well. I am particularly pleased to see more ladies taking to the court and I’m very proud of all the junior players who played in the spirit of the game, which is fun, social and inclusive.’
Men’s Open
Jon Young and Rob West def Bero Bobus and Jon Southern, 4-6, 7-5, 10-12
Ladies’ Open
Chantelle De La Mare and Helen Polli def Emma Devenport and Sam Thornton, 6-3, 7-6
Men’s 40+ Final
Bero Bobus and Jon Southern def Alex Grilo and Drew Warren, 6-4, 6-2
Ladies’ 40+ Final
Chantelle De La Mare and Helen Polli def Jo Robinson and Sara Woolland, 6-2, 6-2
Men’s 50+ Final
Chris Warren and Drew Warren def Tim Edwards and Dominic Woolland, 6-0, 6-1.
14U Final
Logan Cherrett and Freddie Furley def Rufus Bousfield and George Le Page 6-2, 6-3
18U Final
Chloe De La Mare and Liam De Law Mare def Cameron Gomes and Luke Gomes, 6-0, 6-1