the Pomander Gate Open yesterday, handing Bermuda's number one player only his second tournament defeat in the past two years.

In the process Mallory avenged two losses to Way during finals last year and re-established himself as one of the Island's premier players after a shaky loss to Andrew Kennedy in the Heineken Bermuda Open last month.

At the time Mallory said he needed more competition and he quickly turned his game around by registering three straight-set victories at Pomander Gate, defeating Stephen Garneau (by default), Eric Pengelly, Martin Zolnai and Mike Curry before upsetting Way.

Way, meanwhile, cruised to easy wins over Eric Collins and Brian Way but then met some stubborn resistance from rising junior star James Collieson with a 6-4, 7-5 triumph.

Finals featuring Way and Mallory have proven to be among the most hotly-contested on the Island since Way returned to the local tennis scene after a two-year absence last year.

In a three-hour spellbinder last night Mallory and Steve Bean defeated Way and Curry 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 to capture the men's doubles title.

In the women's A singles final Kim Simmons grabbed her first-ever Pomander Gate title with a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Gill Butterfield. Simmons was unable to play at last month's Heineken and she has been a tough opponent since returning to Bermuda last year.

Simmons, seeded third in the women's field, marched to the finals with straight set victories over Sheena Smith, Brenda Harrison and second seed Debbie Darrell. Butterfield, singles winner at the Heineken and seeded number one at Pomander, had a bye in the first round and then beat Kelly Way Holland and Jacqui White.

Butterfield was able to claim one title, however, when she teamed up with Beth Lamotte to defeat Wendy Frost and Andrea Sinclair 6-2, 6-1 to claim the women's doubles crown.

The men's B singles final at 6 p.m. tonight features David Furbert against the winner of last night's match involving Eugene Simmons and Steve Jones. Mary Traynor battles Marionette Simmons in the women's B singles final at 7.30 p.m.

KING RICKY -- Ricky Mallory twice made it to the winner's circle, first with a singles triumph over Michael Way and later with Steve Bean after defeating Way and Mike Curry for the men's doubles crown.