New plan to topple Collins

OPPONENTS of Garry Collins, the under-fire chief executive of Bowls Guernsey, have backed away from the idea of enforcing an EGM. Instead, the Guernsey Press has learned that the growing band of bowlers unhappy with the way Collins runs island bowls, will seek to topple him at next month's annual meeting.

Collins, meanwhile, responded to claims from Ralph Deakin that the Commonwealth Games team was chosen in breach of the sport's criteria by saying the veteran player was understandably upset at not being put forward, 'but he needs to get over that before he gets himself into trouble'.

Deakin, when approached yesterday, did not wish to comment further on the issue, but it is understood opponents of the sport's supremo remain very confident of gaining sufficient support for Collins' position to be in serious question come next month's annual meeting.

On Deakin, the chief executive said: 'I'm not seeking disciplinary action as this association wishes its members to have the right to free speech and have the right to speak up. Republic is a word which I like the sound of.

As to the accusation that the Commonwealth team had been chosen by a two-man panel instead of the constituted three, Collins said: 'The association rules say the selection committee ''should'' have three members, but only my father, Nigel, and myself would stand at the AGM last December, which the members agreed was not a problem.

The council of Bowls Guernsey meets again on Monday when, among other things, the future of promising young bowler Craig Dorey is to be discussed.