MARTIN WATTS once again proved too strong for all the opposition in the Guernsey Gas Open at Beau Sejour. He breezed through the group stage, beating Simon Gaudion and Omar Kandili to reach the semi-finals where he defeated Steve Le Ray, who put up a brave fight despite losing 3-0.

In the final, he played Ross Kneller and for the first two games the newcomer certainly gave Watts a lot to think about as he matched him shot for shot.

However, Kneller failed to capitalise when in control and all his hard work brought little reward as he fell 2-0 behind.

The third game was more of the same for Watts and soon it was all over. As he grew in confidence, he was able to outmanoeuvre his opponent more freely to take the match.

Director of Guernsey squash Peter Bridge-man was impressed with Kneller’s showing.

‘At last Watts has a true contender on the island, having dominated all the major trophies since his arrival in July 2005,’ he said.

Bridgeman hopes that Kneller will strengthen the inter-insular side and also provide the much needed competition that Guernsey lacks at senior level.

Simon Gaudion beat Steve Le Ray 3-1 in the third-fourth play-off.

For Gaudion it was sweet revenge, having only last week lost to Le Ray 3-0.

The courts at Beau Sejour certainly suited the style of Gaudion, who kept the rallies short and played a more attacking game, which kept Le Ray on the back foot for much of the match.

Gaudion is now making a strong challenge for a place in the inter-insular and is finally finding some of the good form which has made him one of the top island players.

In the B-grade tournament, Gary Rich was the eventual winner but he had to work hard for his title, beating Mark Le Conte, Andy Jefferys and Kevin Dodd before winning 3-2 against Terry Hodson in the final.

Hodson came from 2-0 down to level the match but in the end he just did not have enough to overpower his opponent.

The C-grade winner was Tim Bishop, who in the same tournament last season snapped his Achilles tendon and had to be wheelchaired out to a waiting ambulance.

In his second-round match, he was struggling against youngster Jack Tacon, but managed to pull through eventually.

Rob Veron was Bishop’s opponent in the final and en route all his opponents were juniors – Jac Lindley, John Laws and Oliver Brehaut.

Vernon played well in the earlier rounds but in the final made too many unforced errors, which cost him the match as he went down 3-0.

There was an excellent D-grade tournament despite having only six competitors, including three women.

The competition was eventually won by Carrie Birch, who is president of the GSRA.

Her experience of having played for many years and then watching her sons (Henry, Simon and Miles) proved to be the decisive factor and certainly gave her the edge over all her opponents.

In the final, she beat Euan Melrose, who was playing in his first final.

‘This was an excellent tournament with some excellent squash,’ Bridgeman said.

‘It was competitive at all levels and it was nice to see the balconies full.

‘There were a lot of players who do not normally enter competitions playing and enjoying our sport, squash.

‘I hope this will encourage more Beau Sejour players to enter future competitions like the Ogiers Island Championships, which start in a fortnight.’