Collins back in the groove but triples lose by one

GARRY COLLINS teamed up with Mick and Paul Merrien to contest the semi-final of the British Isles indoor triples championship in Belfast and the Guernsey trio more than matched the Scottish champions from Midlothian, skipped by David Peacock. Although they dropped five shots over the first four ends, Guernsey scored nine shots to one over the next seven to lead 9-6 and were holding two good shots when Peacock fired and claimed a treble.

?That made a lot of difference, because we were holding them at that stage,' said Paul after the Scots had edged home by a single shot, 15-14.

Peacock, who skipped Scotland to gold in the world outdoor triples championship at Ayr, promptly took advantage to score a double and a single and the Scots eased into a 15-11 lead after 16 ends.

Back came the Sarnians, scoring a double on the penultimate end, leaving them requiring two shots to tie on the last end but, despite their best efforts, they could manage only one and the Scots were through to the final.

Collins, who came in as a substitute for Mick's son and Paul's brother Alan Merrien, who was unavailable, admitted he was short on match practice, but once he settled into a rhythm, he played a steady supporting role.

Paul, who admitted he had to psyche himself up to ignore the vociferous support the Scots received from the bank, added: ?I was pleased with the way we played, because we didn't let them get away with big scores.'