Deadly McHugh does for Pitschou

GUERNSEY'S bid for glory at the British Isles men's outdoor bowls championships in Llandrindod Wells ended in disappointment yesterday, but the over-riding feeling was one of pride at the achievements of the squad. The highly-regarded Gary Pitschou, who has already made his mark at world level, started well against Ireland's phenomenal Martin McHugh, who won a Commonwealth Games gold medal at Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

But, unbelievably, Pitschou, who was playing really well, found himself 0-7 adrift after four ends, dropping singles on the first three and a full house on the fourth.

'I felt I was bowling well and getting more bowls in the head than Martin at that stage,' said the Guernsey number one after his 21-12 defeat.

'Even at the end of the match, I was pleased with the way I played, but he kept on drawing the shot.'

Pitschou got to within five shots at 11-6 and kept McHugh to that margin at 17-12 after 18 ends, but the tall Irishman scored four consecutive singles to seal victory.

The news was no better in the fours final where Matt and Len Le Ber, Craig Dorey and Dave Trebert, who had played adventurous, attacking bowls to beat rivals Jersey in the semi-finals, made a disastrous start against the English champions from Cornwall.

Richard Bray's men opened with a handy count of five and added four shots on the fifth end to lead 11-2, after which the Guernsey quartet were always playing catch-up.

Getting back to within six shots at 15-9, Trebert and company were still in with a chance, trailing by eight shots, 18-10, with four ends to play. But they then dropped two singles and a five and threw in the towel after 20.

'We are proud of what our lads have done,' said Gary Collins, the young chief executive of the Guernsey Bowling Association.

'To reach two British finals in the same year is quite an achievement and I'm sure it's something we can build on in future years.'

Jersey also reached a final in Wales, but Kevin Le Long, Alan Shaw and Peter Le Long had to give best to a trio from Paisley, Scotland, 19-12.