Pitschou loss is a huge blow

BOWLS GUERNSEY has nominated its shortlist for next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. A total of 18 players are being put before the Guernsey team selectors, who will decide on all Sarnian competitors at the showpiece event next March.

'All the players are currently trying to achieve high standards to impress the Guernsey Commonwealth Games selectors,' said Garry Collins, chief executive of Bowls Guernsey.

'Most of the players selected are attending the British Isles Championships, European Championships, Atlantic Rim Games etc to achieve the necessary standards.'

Gary Pitschou has been named among the 12 men who have been nominated although, for personal reasons, he has declined the chance of representing the island.

'It is a great loss to the association as Gary has dominated the men's singles for the last five years, winning the island title on four occasions and achieving greater honours away from the island, including being the British Isles runner-up in Wales last year,' said Collins.

'Whoever is selected, if we select anyone, will have some great shoes to fill. I might suggest we don't send anyone as a mark of respect.'

Leaving Pitschou on the list, though, is an indication that Collins hopes for a change of heart from the Guernsey number one.

Three of the Commonwealth Games nominees are in the four that will play at the European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, beginning on 31 October.

Ian and Alison Merrien and Matt Le Ber will be joined by Wilma Le Feuvre at the event which involves playing singles and mixed pairs in round-robin stages with points being awarded for each game won. The country with the most points wins the trophy.

Guernsey's mixed pairs will see Ian Merrien leading for his wife while Le Ber will skip his pairing with Le Feuvre.

The women's international selection committee has also nominated the players who will attend the Atlantic Rim Games in Northern Ireland in August.

The five-strong group will represent Guernsey in singles, pairs, triples and fours in various combinations at Ward Park Bowling Club, Bangor, County Down.