THE SJ Health & Bakery Limited Punches in Bunches Road Tennis Tournament has recorded its first major upset in the “B” Class division.
No.3 ranked Terry “Boss Hog” Skeete, a semi-finalist last year, was stunned by Duain Hope, 21-9, 21-19, when the competition continued on Tuesday night at the Belfield court.
After a very slow start, in which Skeete appeared out of sorts, Hope quickly took control of the first set, jumping out to an 11-3 lead on his way to “sowing” his opponent in the first game.
Skeete showed much improvement in the second set, matching his opponent point for point, as the two battled fiercely.
But with the scores locked at 19-19, two unforced errors would see him being eliminated from the competition.
There was no such bad news for No.1 seed, Junior “Big Arms” Boucher, who recorded an easy 21-10, 21-13 victory over Henderson Weekes to progress to the next round.
Terry Dottin also had a similarly easy time in dismissing Tyrone “Picker” Jones 21-11, 21-5.
In the most entertaining match of the night, Philip “Foff’ Garner had a hard-fought 21-13, 20-22, 21-13 win over Anthony “Baku” Simmons.
Garner regularly evoked laughter from the crowd with his comical theatrics and showmanship whenever he won a point, including on one memorable “injection” which completely bewildered a flat-footed Simmons.
The juniors also performed well, as Keon Murrell defeated Renel Smith 21-8, 21-14, Kyle King turned back Jim Haynes 21-16, 21-14 and Emar Edwards downed Davian “Forceripe” Taylor 21-18, 21-19.
The competition continues tonight with the start of the “A” Class division. Jeffrey “Borah” Best will face Charles “McEnroe” Griffith and Victor “Earth” Ward will play Stig Merritt in the two main matches.
(RB)