Guernsey in dreamland after finishing fourth

GUERNSEY finished in an excellent fourth position at the European Championships at Vilamoura, Portugal. Top Sarnian player Alison Merrien claimed the individual bronze position into the bargain, making it a successful six-day event for the islanders.

'If you said we were going to be fourth before we came to Portugal, I would have said you were dreaming,' said team manager Garry Collins.

'We have lived that dream with Alison getting third and second best woman, and with Matt Le Ber coming seventh and third best man in the European 56 players list.'

The final day started well for the Guernsey team as they took 12 of the 16 points on offer.

Le Ber and Wilma Le Feuvre drew with the Jersey pair of Gean O'Neil and Gus McKinnon 2-9, 15-1.

The husband-and-wife pairing of Ian and Alison Merrien went one better and defeated the Cyprus combination of Anna Clarke and Martin McMullan 7-4, 9-8.

Ian Merrien then won his second game of the day 14-9, 17-4 against George Tonks of the Canary Isles.

However, Barbara Cameron of Ireland eventually proved too strong for Le Feuvre in their tight singles encounter as the former won 8-5, 8-6.

Le Ber finished the tournament off by playing Neil Booth.

The Irishman took the first set 8-5, but the second was a different story as Le Ber stepped up a gear and won it by the same score line.

'It has been a hard last couple of days. The team has played well but it has been hard against the top nations,' said Collins.

'Martin McHugh, the two times British Isles champion, helped Ireland to beat Guernsey for third place by dropping only one set in his singles out of 12.

'Matt Le Ber has been the star of the week. He has not lost a game, has won six and drawn six.'