Tigers lose but make progress

GUERNSEY TIGERS, the island's development squad, lost the first junior indoor bowls inter-insular at Grainville, 24-8. Accompanied by a band of senior coaches including the celebrated Alison Merrien, the 13-strong Tigers squad played in a series of fours, triples, pairs and singles.

The event was made possible by the sponsorship of P & J Conservatories, which funded all the travel costs of the Sarnian team.

Although defeated, Tigers' coach Mavis Richards was pleased with the overall performance and is happy with the progress being made by the junior section.

'It is going extremely well and we have some very keen youngsters,' said the club's head coach, responsible for junior development since the mid-90s.

In 1996 the youngsters decided to call themselves the Tigers and now the section boasts 21 members, all but two of them boys.

They range from six to 16 and Richards can see some fine talent flourishing.

The match, though, has galvanised the enthusiasm of the Tigers team, many of whom are relative novices. 'They are biting the bit now,' said the coach.

The singles matches produced the best play, she added.

'Some of them went as many as 24 ends. They were by far the best to watch from both sides' point of view.