Guernsey remain in the hunt for titles

ALISON MERRIEN and Matt Le Ber remain strong contenders for the individual titles at the European Champion-ships in Vilamoura, Portugal. By the end of day five Merrien led the women's table with 54 points, three clear of Sue Harriott.

Merrien featured in one of the games of the day, a cracking encounter against Ireland's Margaret Johnston, who has long been recognised as one of the sport's greats.

The Sarnian lost the opening set, 10-4, but being the fighter she is, Merrien hit back to win seven of the nine ends in the second for an 11-5 scoreline.

Le Ber had lain second in the men's standings early in the day, but having just one match, he slipped to fifth by the end of it.

His solitary encounter, against the Canary Islands' Tony Quinan, brought him another win, this time by 9-8, 13-1.

But with two matches to come today, Le Ber still has the opportunity of hitting the top of the table.

However, to do that he will have to win his pairs against Jersey and a tough singles against Neil Booth, a top player from Ireland.

Team manager Garry Collins is confident he can do it.

'I know Matt will keep his cool and make Guernsey proud,' he said.

'If he wins both his games, he should top the men's table, but that also depends on the singles match between England and Scotland.'

Ian Merrien had a mixed day.

With wife Alison he won his mixed pairs clash against the Dutch duo of Guurtje Ros-Copier and Michel Weedenburg, 11-3, 13-1.

But his singles did not go as planned, as he slipped to a 3-7, 6-8 defeat to Spain's Matt Tew.

Wilma Le Feuvre lost her singles, 3-11, 4-10, to the Canary Islands' Jean McCallum.

'It's been a hard day with two wins, two draws and two losses,' said Collins.

'But all my players have played well and Guernsey are still in the running for the trophy.

'It's really between England, Scotland and Guernsey with Ireland on our tails.'