Galpin getting up to speed

In a whirlwind of a 200m heat, Manchester's Success Eduan flew to top spot but Guernsey's fastest woman hared across the line to pip Ayoola Babalola – the Southerns silver medallist – for second with an indoor personal best of 24.32sec.

The apparent downside of her forceful finish came when she took a heavy tumble, which was not particularly injurious but did lead her to miss the semi-final on doctor's advice.

Druce still took encouragement from seeing Galpin running within 0.5sec. of her outright Guernsey record so early in the year.

'It's good to get indoors done, and as much as it is frustrating not being able to line up in the semis, it's still a positive sign,' he said.

'Looking at how last year went, she did not run faster than that many times.

'It has been quite a long road, so it's good to see.'

Druce also reported that his charge is doing 'fine injury-wise' following persistent niggles.

Galpin succeeded in her race to get fit before last year's home Island Games, where she won 200m gold in a season's best of 24.02, but she has had to rebuild over the winter.

Her 60m times around the new year had paled to her run of form in early 2022.

However, her fourth over 200m at the Southerns and this Nationals heat have shown a return to form.

'We're in a good position to think about what happens next,' added Druce ahead of the coming outdoor season.