Aussies brought down

A WIN over mighty Australia has been the highlight for Guernsey over the first weekend of the 10th women's world championships at Royal Leamington Spa. By last night, the five-strong Sarnian squad had chalked up four games in both disciplines - pairs and triples.

After a colourful opening ceremony, during which players from 29 countries were required to stand on the green for well over an hour, the vastly experienced Eunice Trebert and Anne Simon got off to a great start in the pairs.

Opening with a 25-13 win over Zimbabwe's Jane Rigby and Linda Farrell, they had a good night's rest before taking on Australia's Maria Rigby and Karen Murphy, who are among the favourites for the title.

The Aussies had defeated India 43-8 in their first match, but the Guernsey duo did not give them a chance, piling up the shots for an impressively convincing 23-9 victory.

In their third match, they came up against Fiji, who were medal winners the last time the championships were held at Leamington eight years ago, and again Trebert and Simon came out on top, 27-16.

Last night, despite a narrow 16-12 defeat at the hands of South Africa, Trebert and Simon were sitting pretty at the top of their group table, knowing that they need to finish in the top two to qualify.

They will enjoy a well-deserved day off today, before completing their group programme with games against India and Thailand. It is a kind draw that should see them safely through to the next stage.

In the triples, Gwen de la Mare, Jean Simon lie fifth in the seven-team group.