In the Ladies Competition, one Barbadian, two Jamaicans and a Guyanese have claimed berths in the semifinals. Karen Meakins, the top ranked player in Barbados moved past team mate Jenny Armstrong in three straight games. Karen will meet three-time Caribbean Champion, Marlene West in her semi final clash. West stumbled slightly before gaining victory (3-1) in her tie with the determined Seraphina Johnson of Bahamas. Nicolette Fernandes (No 2) appeared confident and strong, as she stopped Sonia Perkins of Barbados in three straight games. Fernandes will meet Karen Anderson of Jamaica in the other semi-final.
In the Men’s competition Gavin Cumberbatch of Barbados put up a spirited fight against the crafty tournament favourite, Gary Plumstead of Bermuda. Gavin thrilled fans by taking the first game of the match against the more experienced and very deceptive No 1 seed. Plumstead persevered with his repertoire of unorthodox shots to take the match 3-1. Gavin?s performance was inspiring and shows great promise for the future.
In the first upsets of the tournament, Jamaica?s James Bullock and Wayne Burrowes (3 / 4 seeds) went under to Paul De Verteuil (Trinidad) and Shawn Badrinauth of Guyana. De Verteuil played his heart out and much to the delight of the Trinidadian contingent will move on to the semi-finals where he will meet the No 1 seed Gary Plumstead. Burrowes of Jamaica, described by his team as the ?Lionheart?, went under to the younger and ever-improving Shawn Badrinauth of Guyana. Incredibly, this tournament marks twenty years since Burrowes was the Caribbean Champion at seventeen years old (1983).
Fans were given a fabulous show by the clash between No 2 seed Nick Kyme (Bermuda) and Max Weithers (Guyana) in their five setter. Weithers, a three time Caribbean champion in the early nineties has been absent from the Caribbean event since 1995 when he defeated John Macrury of Cayman in the final. Nick Kyme, a former Under 19 Caribbean Champion had to work hard to overcome the gritty Weithers and after trailing throughout the match completed the final game in fine style (9-0).
Ladies Quarter Finals
Marlene West (JAM) defeated Seraphina Johnson (BAH) 3-1 (9/2 4/9 9/2 9/5)
Karen Meakins (BAR) defeated Jenny Armstrong (BAR) 3-0 (9/1 9/4 9/5)
Karen Anderson (JAM) defeated Rhea Khan (T&T) 3-0 (9/2 9/2 9/0)
Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) defeated Sonia Perkins (BAR) 3-0 (9/1 9/1 9/2)
Men’s Quarter Finals
Gary Plumstead (BER) defeated Gavin Cumberbatch (BAR) 3-1 (7/9 9/3 9/3 9/2)
Paul de Verteuil (T&T) defeated James Bullock (JAM) 3-1 (7/9 9/6 10/8 9/5)
Shawn Badrinath (GUY) defeated Wayne Burrowes (JAM) 3-0 (9/6 9/2 9/0)
Nick Kyme (BER) defeated Max Weithers (GUY) 3-2 (2/9 9/4 5/9 9/6 9/0)
Men’s Plate 1st Round
Chris Binnie (JAM) defeated Craig Mair (JAM) 3-2 (2/9 7/9 9/3 10/8 9/1)
Rhett Cumberbatch (BAR) defeated Patrick Chin (JAM) 3-0 (9/4 9/2 9/0)
Sam Stevens (BER) defeated Gerard Greaves (GUY) 3-0 (9/2 9/3 9/4)
Alberto Valecillo (VEN) defeated Bruce Levy (JAM) 3-1 (9/1 6/9 9/5 9/0)
Alexander Kassab (VEN) defeated Leon Truss (BAR) 3-2 (9/7 9/7 5/9 2/9 9/2)
Ryan Abraham (TRI) defeated John Cumberbatch (BAR) 3-0 (9/2 9/1 9/0)
Jean Marc DeMontrichard (TRI) defeated Gabriel Teran (VEN) 3-0 (9/2 9/2 10/8)
Ladies Plate 1st Round
Tiffany Solomon (GUY) defeated Tessa Martin (TRI) 3-0 (9/1 9/2 9/2)
Joanna Scoon (TRI) defeated Chantelle Fernandes (GUY) 3-0 (9/4 9/3 9/2)
