An Isle of Wight pool team has retained its CI International 7-a-side Pool Championship title after defeating Guernsey 11-7 in the final in Jersey, securing back-to-back victories in the competition.
A pair of teams from the Isle of Wight travelled to Jersey to compete against opposition from across the UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Portugal, with the Island’s B team looking to defend the title they won last year.
A total of 12 teams competed in a round-robin league, with each side playing every other team before the top 8 progressed to the quarter-finals.
The Isle of Wight B team finished level on points with Jersey A and Exmouth, securing 3rd place on countback, while the Island’s A team qualified in 8th position.
In the quarter-finals, the B team faced Portugal and came through a closely fought encounter, winning 8-6 in the deciding frame.
Meanwhile, the Isle of Wight A team produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets, defeating league winners Exmouth to book their place in the semi-finals.
The A team’s run came to an end against Guernsey A, but the B team continued their title defence with victory over Jersey A to reach the final.
Facing Guernsey A for the championship, the Island’s B team delivered a strong team performance to secure an 11-7 victory and retain the international title for a 2nd consecutive year.
There was further success for the Isle of Wight in the individual singles competition on Sunday, with B team player Jake Larkins, who won the event last year, reaching the final once again.
However, he was denied a 2nd successive singles title by Jersey’s number 1 player, who claimed a 6-3 victory.
The Isle of Wight A team was represented by Martin Widgery, Ronnie Keates, Paul Hardy, Chris Renouf, Mark Arnold, Terry ‘Mr T’ Phillips and Martyn Raggett.
The victorious B team consisted of Kev Mabey, Mark ‘Milkie’ White, Scott Hunnybun, Jake Larkins, Nick ‘Maggott’ Lee, Todd Barney and Ginge Stevens.
Following another successful trip to Jersey, the Island players are already planning to return next year, with the B team hoping to make it 3 consecutive international championship victories.
