Inspired Jersey break tradition

AN INSPIRED Jersey team beat tradition and claimed the inter-insular honours on their opponents' soil. The Caesareans played brilliant golf on the L'Ancresse links over the two days of competition and were fully deserving of their 12-8 victory.

The home side played their part in a fine match, but ultimately had to bow to Jersey's superior performance on this occasion.

'Our players played well, but all the Jersey team played exceptionally well,' said Guernsey's non-playing captain Steve Turvey.

'Whatever we did out there, they would match it or go one better. It was just one of those matches. They played below their handicaps throughout.'

In the build up to the encounter, Turvey had talked about looking to win each of the three series, which make up the overall match.

But instead it was the visitors who took the initiative over Saturday's fourballs and yesterday morning's foursomes and in doing so established a 7-3 lead going into the 10 singles rubbers - a deficit that was always going to be difficult to overcome.

Guernsey gave it their best shot, but could only manage to draw the last series 5-5.

The result was particularly harsh on debutant Jamie Blondel, who was the hosts' outstanding individual.

Having gained half a point alongside Mick Marley in the fourballs, the newcomer claimed both points available to him yesterday with help from Steve Mahy in the foursomes.

Turvey was quick to single out Blondel for special praise.

'On debut, to get two-and-a-half points out of three is almost unheard of. That is a fantastic effort,' he said.

But even though Blondel's teammates all battled hard, there was no stopping Jersey, for who Gavin O'Neill struck a hole in one at the third during the foursomes.

For Turvey, the exciting climax to one particular rubber summed up the whole weekend.

'I felt so sorry for Danny Bisson and Andy Eggo in the foursomes,' he said.

'One down playing 17, Danny knocked in 15ft putt for birdie only for Jersey to follow it in to stay one up. Then on the last, Andy knocked in a putt from 35ft and then what happens? Christy McLaughlin sinks one from 33ft.

'But that was typical of the match. Just as a few examples, Gavin O'Neill hit a hole in one, James Birch went round in six under par during the fourballs and Gavin did the same in the singles.

'It is disappointing for our guys, but you just have to congratulate Jersey.'

Terry Smith, Jersey's non-playing captain who had boasted the last time L'Ancresse hosted the inter-insular that Jersey would stuff Guernsey out of sight, could not hide his delight.

'I came over here two years ago and got absolutely hammered and rightly so,' he said.

'But I said we would be back and we have come back strong.

'It was a great match, played in great spirit.

'Our boys came here very positive. They played as a team, played for one another and all played brilliantly.

'Winning over here is like winning a major.