Silver for Tomlinson, Kane in doubles

Simon Tomlinson and Kane Watson put Jamaica on the medal table at the 60th Caribbean Table Tennis Championships yesterday inside the National Arena. The pair played their way into the men's doubles final where their bid for gold was thwarted by Emil Santos and Samuel Galvez of the dominant Dominican Republic squad.

Galvez, the 2017 men's singles champion, and Santos, outsteadied the Jamaicans 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 to take the gold medals. Speaking after the final, Tomlinson nevertheless thinks the silver is the start of a rebound from a disappointing fifth place finish in the team event.

"We weren't happy with how the teams ended. From last year, we've been saying that we want a medal in doubles so just to reach the final, we're happy but we could have had a better showing at the end," he said.

Not pleased with the result, but Tomlinson is happy to get on the podium.

"We did what we could and got the country a medal," he resolved. Candid as ever, he explained that he had a problem controlling the length of his serves. Galvez and Santos were often able to attack when he served.

"We both knew before the match," he lamented, "but we had to try to find some way around it."

The silver medal has lifted some of the gloom emanating from the team competition. Tomlinson said improving his serve is key. "Playing in the team events, I got a good warm-up for the singles, a good view of everybody else so we have things to fix but we'll get there."

The win by Galvez and Santos continued the good showing by the Dominican Republic as Eva Brito and Zariris Ortiz beat their teammates in a one-sided women's doubles final.

The tournament continues today with competition in the Under-21 and Over-45 categories. Among Jamaica's entries is 2003 winner Alphanso Morris.