MORE?THAN 500 fans turned up at the Deighton “Pa” Roach Tennis Centre in Bush Hall, and the king Julian “Michael Jackson” White, did not disappoint as he marched into Saturday’s finals of the National Sports Council’s Inter-Parish Islandwide Road Tennis Competition with an imperious straight whipping of Lloyd “Dick” Burke on Tuesday night.
In front of a loud and excited crowd that included Minister Steve Blackett, Minister Esther Byer-Suckoo, who was supporting her St George team, as well as former Democratic Labour Party candidate Patricia Inniss, White unleashed his full arsenal of shots to dismiss Burke 21-8, 21-9 for St Michael to oust St George’s “A” team.
White, the undisputed champion of road tennis, provided full entertainment to ensure that he would not miss out like in 2011 when injury kept him out of the inaugural tournament when St Michael defeated Christ Church in front of thousands at Dover on live television.
The margin of defeat by White meant that his partner Jeffrey “Borah” Best simply had to pick up 18 points for St Michael to advance to the finals. Best started poorly against Andrew Goodridge who rushed to 18-13, before the classy Best unreeled some of his top drawer shots, while Goodridge committed numerous unforced errors to fold 20-22, 15-21.
St George had earlier pleased the large contingent of supporters with veteran Cardinal Beckles dragging his team into the finals with an enthralling victory over legend Edward “Dabo” Carrington 21-19, 22-20. The calm temperament of Beckles handed him the win over Carrington, who surged from 14-18 to lead 19-18 in the second set.
At set point (20-19) Carrington should have taken the set, but he hit one of the easiest shots of his career long. Beckles took the advantage 21-20 when he smashed down the line and began to celebrate shouting “that is the Bulkeley sugar!” before he realized that the officials had signalled the ball out.
Beckles repeated when the point was halved and the same scene took place before another halved point was followed by another smash by Beckles, and the finally undisputed point and victory.
Earlier the antics and plays from Jeffrey “Bing Crosby” Layne halted St George’s Goldbourne Bailey 17-21, 21-19, 21-13.
St Lucy’s “B” team of Kerry Francis and Neil Greaves reached the finals with Francis stopping Bruce Pounder of St George 21-15, 16-21, 21-12. Greaves overcame a sow to defeat Terry Dottin 8-21, 21-16, 21-19.
Simon Bayne kept Christ Church “B” in contention when he won a one-set decider against Merlon Edwards of St Peter 21-16.
The action would have switched to Vauxhall last night with Christ Church looking for home advantage to reach their second successive finals.