Bels turning the corner?

IF EACH Priaulx League club was able to field its full-strength team and those 11 players were gauged on a score between one to 10, then what would the table reveal? Bels, in my view, would be guaranteed a top-three finish and winning the Stranger Charity Cup, as they did this week, would be no great surprise.

But, as we all know, team lists are not worth the paper they are written on and the

2-1 victory over Vale Rec raised most eyebrows.

Indeed, the manner in which they dominated a poor, often spiky game impressed.

For once, the blue-and-whites played as if tactics did mean something and each player subscribed to the team ethos which, so often in the recent past, has not been the case as tactically ill-disciplined players seemingly do whatever they fancy.

Hilary Sarre, Bels' forever-generous, optimistic and enthusiastic president, hit the nail on the head when he said: 'It's about time Bels had a cup win. It's been a long time coming.'

Who exactly should take the credit for the victory is unclear. What is readily transparent is that whenever Bels field the XI they did on Wednesday night, they will be a match for just about anybody in CI football.

With Irishmen Paul O'Neill and Darragh Duffy back in the fold, they were at full strength.

The team had balance and an evident plan, which was to keep the mercurial Trim Morgan quiet with the close attentions of the tough and versatile O'Neill and Joby Bourgaize backing him up in central midfield.

Morgan was still able to produce the outstanding individual play of the first period, but for the final half-hour he was virtually non-existent other than to needlessly and, somewhat cruelly, ridicule team-mate Jason Sarahs in front of the tunnel. Sarahs, briefly looking hurt and shocked, was quite right to point out that he was wearing the same colours.

But, just for once this season, Morgan was not the major player.

O'Neill's persistence and some woeful performances around Morgan were too much a handicap for even him to overcome.

Watching island manager Steve Ogier must have been heartened to see O'Neill back in the fold and playing such a key role.

His strength and versatility make him a Muratti man in the making and now he has completed his accountancy exams, both Bels and Guernsey should benefit.

Bels did not have a weak link and when was the last time you could honestly say that about the blue-and-white under-achievers?

For the overall good of Priaulx football, it would be great to see Bels maintain such a quality of performance and one wishes Micky Ogier all the luck.

The challenge both for him and the players is maintaining levels which should be comfortably achievable with the right approach.