Mountain to climb for vets

GUERNSEY'S veteran golfers will give it their best shot at Grouville over the next two days but accept that another defeat in the Garenne Seniors' Challenge Trophy is likely. Twelve months ago Jersey dropped just half-a-point out of 15 at L'Ancresse in the over-55s' match.

'We know Jersey are the hot favourites this year,' said Roy Martel, president of the Guernsey Golf Union.

'It's going to be a difficult, but not impossible, task to win the trophy back and we will give it our best shot.

'The Jersey team are on one of their home courses, so we are realistic about our chances - but anything can happen in sport.'

Guernsey's team is: Micky King, Ken Giles, Roy Corbet, Keith Jeffreys, Richard Vaudin, Niall Counihan, John Gavet, Patrick McKeary, Geoff Davies and Hedley Ablitt, with Kevin Lycett as the reserve. Henry de la Mare is the non-playing captain.

Jersey lead the series 7-2 and expect to win again.

'The selectors have picked another very strong team this year,' said Wallie Clarke, Jersey's non-playing captain.

'The advantage of seniors' golf is that we have competed against the Guernsey players many times at different levels, and we know how they play.

'We are also on one of our home courses this year, so we are certainly hoping to extend our lead still further in the competition.'

The Jersey team is: Gerald Binding, Vic Bourgoise, Ted Le Gresley, Bart McCarthy, John O'Neill, Kevin O'Toole, Geoff Ramskill, Charlie Smith, Terry Smith and Barry Thorp.