Royal's island stars survive scares

DON'T be fooled by the four-point margin. Visiting Alderney pushed John Herschel's Royal Guernsey seven-a-side team all the way in the preliminary round of the Hampshire Knockout at L'Ancresse.

The Royal ultimately won 5.5-1.5 to set up a cracking first-round match against L'Ancresse on 25 April, but there were some nervous moments for the Royal before they got home.

Mick Marley, Nigel Vaudin and David Nicolle all experienced a narrow escape.

Marley, giving two shots to Peter Cunningham, had to win the last two holes to scrape home by one hole and he did so with the assistance of his opponent's three-putt at the last.

Nicolle was four down to Cummings after eight and still three adrift with seven to play. He eventually forced a half.

Vaudin was also in big trouble against Richard Flatres who benefitted from 12 shots.

The Royal man was three down with four to play but he levelled at the 18th where Flatres three-putted. Vaudin then birdied the first extra hole to win the match.

Elsewhere, there were comfortable wins for David Rowlinson, John Le Lievre and Laurence Graham.

Guernsey Junior Golf Club entertain La Grande Mare in another preliminary-round tie on Sunday afternoon, with St Pierre Park awaiting the winners.