War stops play to spoil Ali's plans

JUST about everyone would put Fiji high on their list of must-do holiday destinations. Alison Merrien, the island's top bowler, is no different and was looking forward to visiting the Pacific islands in November as one of Guernsey's two representatives at the annual World Champion of Champions tournament.

Not now, though.

The military coup in sunny Fiji has led to World Bowls to decide sedate bowls and shotgun fire don't go well together and they have pulled the plug on the event.

Merrien, who along with island men's champion Gary Pitschou, was due to go, was informed of the World Bowls decision this week.

The ruling body are now looking for an alternative venue to stage the tournament at which the Guernsey star has twice played.

'Hopefully somebody else will step in,' said the bowler.

'I've planned my time off for it. If it is still November, it will not be in Britain, so hopefully it will be somewhere like Australia or Malaysia.'

World Bowls aim to make a decision on a replacement venue by the end of the month.