Martyn the GRG Master

Martyn Desperques was crowned the Guernsey Recycling Group Guernsey Masters champion for a fourth time and for the third consecutive year at the Gremlin Club. An open draw, featuring most of the top eight aggregate players from last season’s Premier Division aggregates, culminated in Desperques defeating Seb Priaulx 5-1 in the final.

Desperques opened up his tournament with a 3-0 win against last year’s Guernsey Open champion Danny Marquand, although it was a far from comfortable beginning with a nervy opening frame before making a 40 in the next.

That set up a semi-final against La Villette team mate Adrian Holley, who had come through the only match to go the full distance. Holley had twice led Mark Gauvain in his opening match, but having been pegged back each time, a well-constructed break of 40 provided a clinical finish.

Holley took that resolve into his semi-final against Desperques, winning the first frame on the black, but the defending champion responded by taking the next two frames courtesy of a sublime 106 clearance followed by a 69 in the third. Having extended his lead further, it was Desperques’ turn to win on the black to progress to the final.

In the other half of the draw, Priaulx began with an impressive and hard fought 3-1 win against last season’s aggregate and Masters runner up John Skillett. Priaulx took the first on the black but, having doubled his lead, Skillett reduced the gap thanks to a fine 53. Priaulx would not be denied though, taking the fourth frame comfortably, 73-19.

Priaulx booked his place in the final by beating Jamie Le Cheminant, who had earlier defeated Miles Plumley 3-1. There would be no return from Le Cheminant in the semi though and, despite getting close on each occasion, Priaulx won 4-0.

Playing in his first Masters final, Priaulx was soon on the back foot, and he was unable to register a point with Desperques making a fine 73. After losing a close second, Priaulx soon found himself 4-0 down, with Desperques rattling off the next two frames with breaks of over 50 in each. An opening break of 65 in the fifth had most thinking the match was all but over, but Priaulx had other ideas by taking the next 74-65.

Desperques’ relentless scoring continued though and a 69 break in the sixth frame was enough to win the frame and with it the title.