Teen sensation tipped for top

So, in the context of Guernsey's bowling history - and with an eye focused on the future - just how good is Guernsey's latest teenage sensation, Daniel de la Mare? The question was being asked at Thornaby this week, after Daniel , a 16-year-old IT student, had powered his way into the National Express British Isles under- 25 championship, only to be narrowly defeated, 21-17, by Ireland's Andrew Kyle.

And, listening to the experts who were lining the green, the slim youngster certainly has what it takes to become a leading light in what is still generally - if unjustly - regarded as an old man's sport.

The Thornaby indoor stadium on Teesside is the home of the legendary Norma Shaw, who has won world titles indoors and out, and she was watching de la Mare as he put up such a courageous display in the final.

'I was very impressed,' Shaw said.

'He looked a bit nervous at first, which is only to be expected, but once he got going, he played extremely well. If he sticks at it, he'll do well.'

Scotland's evergreen Willie Wood, still going strong at the age of 64, added his approval: 'What a prospect,' he said. 'He's got a great delivery, looks so calm and plays with such self-assurance for his age - I'm sure he'll go far.'

Bill Hobart, England's team manager, said: 'He's outstanding,' while Roy McCune, last year's BIIBC president, added: 'I saw Daniel in Guernsey last month and picked him out as a tremendous prospect. He has the potential to become develop into a great player.'

Guernsey have produced a number of players who have graced the world stage - these days, for example, Alison Merrien and Adrian Welch, who won the WIBC world mixed pairs title in 2001, command respect whenever they turn up for an international event.

Nicky Donaldson raised a few eyebrows in the Welsh Masters last month and impressed a lot of people at Thornaby when he skipped so brilliantly in the pairs semi final on Monday.

In the past, players like Fleur Bourgourd and Anne and Jean Simon have shone at world level, while husband-and-wife duo Mike and Jenny Nicolle have done Guernsey proud both together and separately.

Indeed, it was Jenny, in partnership with Marie Smith, now deceased, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, which is probably Guernsey's biggest achievement in the sport.

De la Mare wanted to start playing bowls at the tender age of seven, but there was an age limit of 12 at the Hougue du Pommier stadium.

'My dad, Keith, bowled with Alison (Merrien) and my cousins, Gary Collins and Craig Dorey, were also playing at the time, so I was itching to get on the green,' de la Mare told me at Thornaby.

'Dad had a word with the authorities and they relented, saying I could play as soon as I was strong enough to put a bowl in the ditch,' he added.

'Mavis and Frank Richards gave me some tuition, and my career got under way.'

He has won the island's under-25 outdoor singles title twice and the indoor title once and was picked to play for the Channel Islands in last summer's outdoor international series.

Although he harbours ambitions to join the Professional Bowls Association, play in a televised event and even win the world indoor singles title, he would also like to win a mixed event in partnership with his girlfriend, Lianna Bichard.

Not only is Bichard poised to make waves in the women's game, but her 13-year-old brother, Shaun, is already breathing down de la Mare's neck - just as he is threatening to topple today's bowling establishment.

CI team manager Eddie Robins said: 'I'm very proud of the way Daniel played at Thornaby. Not only did he play superbly, he handled himself with credit on and off the green, and was a great ambassador for Guernsey.'