Le Noury's treble

JONATHON LE NOURY and Thomas Hollingsworth ended a golden week in perfect fashion last night. Guernsey's two outstanding male stars in the Clickimin pool at these Games produced sensational finales to their individual programmes.

Le Noury it was who produced the goods first.

Having already claimed the 1,500m and 200m freestyle titles, the 21-year-old completed a hat-trick with a resounding win in the 400m.

Leading from the start, Le Noury extended his advantage on each length of the pool, finishing in a new Island Games record of 4min. 01.42sec.

'The week has been really, really good. To do the treble has been fantastic,' he said.

'After the first day and the 1,500m went really well, it was good for my motivation.

'To win the 200 was even better because it is more of a sprint event and the 400 is in the middle so it completes the set nicely.

'The time was two seconds off my PB, but just outside a Commonwealth Games qualifying time, although I have already achieved qualification in the 1,500.'

Hollingsworth followed that in majestic style in the 100m backstroke.

Billed as a battle between him and Ian Powell with the two having won the 50m and 200m titles respectively, it was the younger man who rose to the occasion.

Once again his incredible start was the key as he stuck with Powell down the opening 25, just beat him to the turn and then gradually moved away.

Although Powell has not tapered for the Games, he was still good enough to go under the previous record in clocking 57.25sec.

However, it emphasises Hollingsworth's awesome form that he beat his team-mate by over a second. His new Island Games record stands at 56.22sec.

'Usually I take it out a bit slower, but I decided to take it out quick this time and it came off,' said Hollingsworth, who admitted that he would have considered Powell favourite for the event before arriving in Shetland.

Overall, he was understandably delighted with his four days work, saying it could not have gone any better.

His coach described Hollingsworth as 'very mature about his swimming, very serious and committed and of a very high standard now'.

'I am not too sure where to go with Tom now, in truth. We have the nationals in three weeks and that will give us an indication of where he is at,' Frankland added.

Guernsey also finished first in one other race and went under the Games record, although they did not receive a gold medal for the efforts in the mixed 8 x 50m freestyle relay as the IGA had deemed it a 'fun event'.

That slightly disappointed Frankland.

'As far as we are concerned, we broke the record. It was a shame there were no medals,' she said.

To complete a successful final night, Guernsey added five silvers to their tally.

As well as Powell in the 100m backstroke, Gail Strobridge claimed two of them and the others came in the two 'official' relays of the evening - the women's 4 x 100m medley and the men's 4 x 100m freestyle.

'It was a nice way to finish four days of excellent swimming. It was a brilliant team effort - we had 12 island records and eight Games records and that gives you an idea of the standard of swimming here,' Frankland said.

'The team have gelled and everyone has played a valuable part.

'I am particularly pleased with Jonathon and Gail, and thrilled that Jenny Salmon got a gold. Also, Jeremy Osborne for placing second in the blue riband event of the 100m freestyle at only 15. He still has plenty of time and winning silver in that event was very encouraging.

'I must add that the coaches who have been over here - Jo Winberg, Debbie Le Noury and Brian Allen - did an excellent job. It has been a brilliant team effort,' added the Guernsey manager.