Savident shows his big match temperament

UNDERDOG Geoff Savident has beaten Dave Trebert in the island singles final. Savident was clearly on a roll after overcoming favourite Gary Pitschou in the semi-finals. The 50-year-old was delighted with his unexpected victory that sees him hold the coveted title for the first time.

'What a turn up,' he said.

'I was classed as the underdog and, as the papers said, he was favourite. But I was determined to go out and win it. The concentration and determination was in me to win.

'I'm very pleased with the result.'

The taxi driver playing on home turf started the final very well going 16-7 up after 11 ends played. Trebert collected two doubles to close the gap and Savident with his drawing game picked up a single before getting stuck on 18 for four ends.

He held the lead by three shots as he collected another single but the experienced Trebert pulled back to join Savident at 19 all.

Savident with his last two bowls claimed victory 21-19 to take the Elliott trophy. As island champion Savident has a busy schedule ahead of him when he takes on Jersey's champion next month for the Channel Islands singles title.

Next year he has the chance to go to Wales in June to compete the British Isles champion of champions and then in November he has been invited to attend the World champion of champions in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Unfortunately for Savident he did not have as good a time of it in the Press singles as Pitschou got his revenge from two weeks ago by beating him 21-5. Pitshchou dominated from the start and he did not allow his opponent to settle in.

The women's singles title went to Anne Simon, despite the experienced bowler having a slow start and dropping a single and a triple against Lyn Small. She eventually took control of the game and didn't look back, dropping only one shot on the way to a 21-5 win.

Small is a newcomer to the sport, so reaching the final was an achievement in itself.

The men's under-25 singles saw British Isles outdoor pairs champion Matt Le Ber against Island Games indoor pairs gold medallist Craig Dorey. After five ends a close scoreline of 5-4 to Le Ber was revamped when he picked up 3-2-2-1 to storm ahead, only dropping a three and one along the way to finishing 21-8.

In the Press singles Gary Pitschou got his revenge from two weeks ago by beating Savident 21-5. Pitshchou dominated from the start and he did not allow his opponent to settle in.

Peggy Fish and Pam Harding may be at the senior end of bowls but proved that they can still play a good game. The Carre over 60s singles and the Super Vet singles for over 70s were fought out by these two ladies.

Both finals ended with the scoreline of 21-18 in favour of Fish.

Ralph Deakin and Don Batiste also had a good tussle in the men's over 60s singles with Batiste 10-8 up but he got stuck for four ends while Deakin collected nine shots. Batiste fighting back picked up four and one but it was not enough as Deakin scored two doubles to finish.

In the Nicolle Mixed Pairs, after dropping five on the first end, Ali and Ian Merrien kept the game close against Ann Simon and Len Le Ber. First half of the game was high scoring at 15-14 after 10 ends. Then it was one each end until the last when the Merriens collected two to win 21-17.

In the Men's Triples Gary Pitschou's team of Len Le Ber and Dave Lucas were out to win, starting with a lead of 13-0 after seven ends against Derek and Paul Wakeham with Sam Allen.

Wakeham's team then got going, scoring one but dropped a four next end before picking up nine shots over the next six ends.

Pitschou's team collected three consecutive singles to win 20-10.

In the Travers Pairs Matt Le Ber and substitute Garry Collins went down to Gary Pitschou and Dave Lucas.

Pitschou/Lucas went 16-4 up after 11 ends, then dropped four singles on the trot but it didn't fluster them, they then collected enough to win 23-9.

The Press drawn pairs was a good game. Sally Tranter and Ellie Collins were 12-5 up against Lyn Small and Carol Besnard. Small/Besnard collected a couple of fours and singles to turn the game around on their way to victory 16-19. It was likewise in the Senior Triples up till half way when Angie and Ted Bartie with Ralph Deakin took control to the finish against Roy and Heather Queripel with Sid Le Maitre.

President's triples was a high scoring game finishing 17-26 to Vale A team of Vic Dorey, Mike Rose and Lyn Small who were up against Les Petit Bois.

Guernsey Glass and Windows men's fours League finished with Falcons Dave Trebert, Len and Matt Le Ber and Gary Pitschou of Falcons coming top and Brats second.