Nicolle still smiling

GUERNSEY swimming instructor Jacqui Nicolle enjoyed every minute of the women's world outdoor singles championships, even though she struggled in her qualifying group and finished in 26th place in the field of 29 competitors. Nicolle, who hails from Exmouth in Devon and is married to Guernsey-born Andrew Nicolle, did well to defeat India's Renu Mohta 21-17 yesterday, in her minor places pool, but slipped up against Namibia's Elaine Krahenbuhl, who took 25th place with a 21-13 win.

Opening strongly against Mohta, the Beau Sejour member led 9-3 after eight ends and was never in trouble as she moved 20-13 up after 22.

As in other sports that last shot is often hard to come by and Nicolle suffered a few anxious moments as Mohta, who plays for the famous Royal Calcutta club, picked up a single and a treble to close to 20-17.

So, it was with some relief that she got over the line with a single on the 25th end and she was still smiling at the end of the day, as she looked back on an eventful two weeks and her first experience of bowls at this level.

The quartet of Jean Simon, Gwen de la Mare, Eunice Trebert and Anne Simon were delighted to beat the USA 13-10 in the first phase of their play-downs in the pool to decide places 21-24.