Former Muratti skip's fresh ambition

TWO of Guernsey's finest indoor bowlers miss out on this weekend's big clash against the visiting British Lions as they have bigger fish to fry. Nicky Donaldson and Neal Mollet will be competing in the final stages of the World Bowls Tour PBA pairs play-offs in Welling-borough, where they are hoping to clinch a place in the world indoor pairs championship.

But back at Hougue du Pommier, former Muratti captain Chris Dyer is poised to make his home island bowls debut at international level.

Dyer, who played in the corresponding event in Jersey last year, can hardly wait and, as usual, is looking forward to the challenge of taking on the Caesareans tomorrow evening.

Unlike the blood-and-guts nature of a Muratti football clash, on this occasion a more cerebral approach is required, he says.

'I miss the physical aspect but it's quite tense. You get only two woods so the pressure is on to get into the head and help your skip.'

Dyer plays at three to skip Paul Ingrouille at the weekend, but has ambitions to be a skip himself one day.

He considers he is still improving.

'When I first started the improvement was unbelievable on a week-to-week basis. Then it slowed right down and it starts again.

'I'm sure I haven't reached my full potential yet.'

The British Lions squad will play two international matches over two days.

The Sarnians will have the advantage of watching how the visitors fare against Jersey on Saturday afternoon, before the host island players take on the VIP side on Sunday morning.

Gary Pitschou, Ingrouille, Craig Dorey and Ian Merrien are the four Guernsey skips and they have solid support from some of the island's best players - and they are hoping to exploit their home advantage.

Ingrouille's quartet has been drawn to play a Welsh rink skipped by Marc 'Sparky' Wyatt, while Pitschou's men take on Barry Browne's Irish outfit and Merrien faces a Scottish rink skipped by Neil Speirs.

Craig Dorey, who is up against Commonwealth Games star Robert Newman, probably has the hardest task, but will have support from Richard Hill, young debutant Shaun Bichard, just 17, and Darren Setters.

John Wallis and Mike Le Noury are two other debutants in the home side.