Jersey four get a British Isles reprieve

ALISON MERRIEN has opted to play the singles and pairs in the British Isles Championships at Llanelli in March. Merrien won all four Channel Islands titles last weekend, but the rules of the home nations event prevent her from playing in more than two categories.

The island's number-one indoor bowler said yesterday that she was happy with the outcome which allows her to join forces with young Lianna Bichard, 18, in the women's pairs.

'The rules say that as long as we have one original member of the team, we can have as many reserves as we like.

'They also said if we wanted to play the runners-up, we could.'

As a result, the Jersey four, who lost to Merrien's team 19-17, will play in Llanelli and Eunice Trebert and Shirley Petit will come into the triples team.

'I think everybody's happy with that.

'I wanted the four of us to go somewhere.'