Merrien favourite to defend champion title

DEFENDING champion Alison Merrien starts as favourite when the Champion of Champions tournament takes place on Sunday. This year, seven people have qualified for the prestigious competition, which is open to all the singles champions from last season and is for the Ken Thompson Memorial Trophy.

Merrien, who also won the under-35 and Famous Singles knockouts last year, plays under-18 and under-25 champion Daniel de la Mare in the quarter-finals.

Keith de la Mare, the consolation singles victor, plays women's singles champion Carol Ingrouille while Neal Mollet, the men's singles winner, meets the veterans' singles title-holder Clarence Falla.

Ivor Perry, the intermediate singles champion, receives a bye through to the semi-finals.

The tournament is being held at the Guernsey Bowls Stadium at Hougue du Pommier, with the quarter-finals starting at 2pm, the semi-finals at 4.30pm and the final at 7pm.