Bowlers are on a roll

THE Guernsey team continued to set the pace on day two of the European Bowls Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal. Out of a possible 64 points on the day, Guernsey racked up 40 after four wins, three draws and one loss.

Garry Collins, team manager, is confident of success despite the high standards on show.

'I can't wait to find out what the next four days hold for Guernsey. If we continue like this we will win the tournament easily,' he said.

It was a hard day at the office for the Guernsey side with each player having three matches, which started with the first round of pairs.

The pairing of Alison and Ian Merrien fought out a draw against Jersey's Christine Grimes and Cyril Renouf. After winning the first set easily, Guernsey were denied the second only after Renouf produced the winning bowl on the last end.

Matt Le Ber and Wilma Le Feuvre then produced some excellent bowls in their match to come back from a set down to draw against top Irish internationals Neil Booth and Barbara Cameron, both of whom have been selected for their Commonwealth Games team.

Following on from her draw in the pairs, Le Feuvre tied for four points again in the singles as she won the first set and lost the second against Liz Smerdon of England.

Her pairs partner Le Ber went one better and took all eight points in his singles contest against Mick Johnson of Spain.

Le Ber played as if his Commonwealth singles were on the line and won both sets as if it was a walk in the park, according to team manager Collins.

Alison Merrien notched six points against Anna Watson from Scotland in her singles contest.

With some interesting firing on the last end in the first set, Merrien cleared her opponent's bowls from the green to take the set but then had to battle for a tie in the second as Watson started drawing close bowls.

Ian Merrien played well in his singles but lost two close sets to two times British Isles singles champion Martin McHugh from Ireland.

However, Ian gained revenge for his earlier defeat when he and Alison paired up to defeat McHugh and his famous Irish partner Margaret Johnston by two sets in the second pairs match.

The husband and wife pairing put their opponents under pressure from the very start and by playing aggressive bowls they never let them settle.

Le Ber and Le Feuvre then combined against the Netherlands' Betty Schiltman and Wouter Meijboom to take six of the eight on offer with a comfortable first set victory and clever bowls by Le Ber in the second that ensured a drawn second set.