THE amazing sequence continues.

Martyn Desperques (pictured), almost predictably, won back the Island Championship with victory over Adam Shorto as their fifth consecutive final meeting followed the script of the previous four, ending 4-2 with neither man yet able to retain the title.

‘It seems to be very elusive,’ said Shorto on the inability for anyone since Doug Le Fevre in 1989 to defend the title successfully. ‘The longer it goes on, the more it plays on your mind.’

Both Guernsey’s top two agreed that last night’s encounter at the North Legion hinged on the nip and tuck fourth frame, which eventually and crucially went Desperques’ way to ensure he went into the interval on level terms.

He had started brightly with his first scoring visit to the table realising an almost casual 44 break, which set him on the way to taking the opening frame.