Patrick Ogier claimed three points for Guernsey playing with Jimmy Wood in the men’s doubles and Jo Robinson in the mixed. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0457882)

GUERNSEY have lost the tennis inter-insular after being holders for three years. The loss comes as the format for the big match of the year is set to be changed.

Playing at the Caesareans’ club on Sunday, the Sarnians went down  15-9. They had held on to the trophy since winning in 2005 and drawing the next two occasions.

The fixture is currently made up entirely of doubles matches but calls are afoot to include singles matches in the future. ‘The inter-insular is a great event, but with the cost of flights now, we are seriously thinking, is it right that we should be spending that amount of money on what is a doubles tournament?’ said Jersey Lawn Tennis Association chairman and Jersey captain Matt Harris.

‘The Island Games, the Commonwealth Games, inter-county matches, the National Club League and tournaments in France and Germany all include singles matches. If it is approved, I’m sure it will be a move that will take tennis forward in the islands.’