Ryan Jenkins with Mick Strode @ Guildford GP Sep 2013

Ryan Jenkins picked up his second Grand Prix win of the season and staked an early claim as the title favourite for the overall Men’s Singles crown after a hard-fought competition in Guildford.

Jenkins began as the favourite for the Bribar Guildford Grand Prix title as neither of his main rivals from 2012-13 (Chris Doran and Gavin Rumgay) were able to attend this time around.

After cruising through his group he beat Sam Logue 3-0 in the first round before finding the going a lot trickier against Wales’ Mike Marsden.

Despite taking the first two games, Jenkins found himself frustrated after losing the third game 11-9 and dropping into trouble at 6-3 down in the fourth. However, he used all of his experience from there to win eight consecutive points and reach the quarter-finals.

There he met Mark Scutts, who had impressed by beating the on-fire Scot, Chris Wheeler, before surprising the Welshman with a series of powerful left-handed attacking forays.

It was a real shock to see the former Grand Prix Champion turned over 11-3 in the fourth game as Scutts verged on a huge upset. However, Jenkins escaped a potential giant-killing with a confident 11-5 deciding game.

From there the ‘Grand Prix King’ turned on the style as he started to relax and unfurl his full repertoire. Matt Ware was the first victim in the semi-final before Mike O’Driscoll succumbed 3-0 in the final despite his best efforts.