Marley plays safe in Jersey storms

MICK MARLEY has diced with death already once this year - nearly choking on a piece of meat - and was not about to do so again at La Moye yesterday. Electrical storms took off the Channel Islands matchplay finalists on the fifth of 36 scheduled holes in Jersey and the two finalists were not to return.

With more storms predicted and the playing of 36 holes clearly impossible in one day, Channel Islands Golf Union officials made the sensible decision to call it a day as early as noon. The match will now go ahead on Sunday 13 July.

Marley and Jersey champion Myles Jones had a say in the decision and the Guernsey champion supported it.

Fierce lightning bolts were flashing around Jersey most of yesterday and it was after two hit the ground either side of the fifth fairway that match referee Rob Leader told the finalists - all-square through four - to mark their balls and walk in double-quick.

The warning claxons soon sounded and the course was closed for most of the day.

It proved a long and frustrating day for the Guernsey champion who had arrived confidence boosted by his victory in the 72-hole Credit Suisse and U. V. Trophy event at L'Ancresse on Friday evening.

Marley shot a last round 68 - two under par - to score 286 (net 278) and pip overnight leader Bobby Eggo on countback.

It was the first time in two years that Marley had shot 68 and it was sufficient to outstrip Eggo, who finished with a level-par 70.

'But young Wayne Moore had a 68 net to finish and hung on to win the U. V.'