ANYONE WHO ISN’T convinced that Mark “Venom” Griffith is the best road tennis player in the world was surely not at Silver Hill on Saturday night when the fourth Silver Hill Road Tennis Championship climaxed in front of a crowd estimated at more than 4 000.
Griffith won his second national title for 2015, carrying his earnings to $20 000 with an imperious dismissal of the people’s giant Antonio “Lil Man” Daniel 21-17, 21-9 to stun the supporting Barbarees Hill camp.
It was the cap of back-to-back victories that started with similarly dismissive “sows” of former No. 1 Julian “Michael Jackson” White.
Any doubting Thomases who remained after Griffith captured his third Silver Hill crown – and received a cheque for $5 000 from Minister of Sport Stephen Lashley – were probably waiting for a man in a long white robe to pack some mud on their eyes which they would later wash in the pool of Siloam.
When the shots master Daniel blasted his first point with a trademark smash, the fans almost reached a state of delirium.
Daniel led up to 10-7 before Griffith – with superior fitness, skill and a never-say-die attitude – reeled in the scores to pass his opponent at 11 and then advance to 19-13.
Daniel faltered in attack and was stunned with numerous injections yet still battled back to 16-19 and 17-19 with an injection and a classic gem through Griffith’s forehand.
But, with Griffith taking that opening game, Daniel looked a mere passenger as the champion sped towards the big prize while the big man held on for survival.
The support for Daniel shifted as his fans recognised defeat and focused on willing their man to escape the sow.
“I was suffering with diarrhoea all day which forced me to attend the doctor,” Daniel said. “I cannot take away anything from “Venom”, but my fans must understand that I intend to rebound and I am considering playing in some of the other tournaments to show that I can beat Venom.”
Griffith said, “I came here tonight to prove that I am number one in the world and the sow on Daniel made the statement that I stand alone as I have now truly separated myself from the others.
“Yes, Antoine had beaten me twice and I have now beaten him not just twice but in two finals. I know that the fans miss him from the other tournaments but I thank him for not taking part as it makes my job easier.”
Earlier, Kim Holder won her first Silver Hill crown, and her fourth women’s finals against Rachel Smith 21-8, 21-14, while Deighton Griffith student Ezekiel “Ezee” Ward captured the in-house crown with an easy 21-7, 21-13 triumph over Roger “Rog” Daniel.
The only real contest of the night occurred in the junior finals, with Darius “Baracus” Gaskin edging Dario Hinds 22-20, 18-21, 21-17 in a thriller.
The night ended with a cultural presentation of song.