Sarnians through to semis

DESPITE a disappointing lack of practice, Alan Desperques, Neal Mollet and Nick Donaldson hit the ground running to beat Welsh trio Andrew Oliver, Wayne Phillips and Marc Wyatt, 15-14, in the quarter-finals of the British Isles indoor triples championship at Thornaby-on-Tees yesterday. Bowlers from Guernsey and Jersey, representing the Channel Islands, were frustrated that they were not given the chance to roll up on the green before hostilities began.

But the Guernsey trio led 6-2 after five ends and looked in control when they were 8-3 in front after eight.

However, they slipped up over the next three ends, dropping two trebles and a single between the ninth and 11th to trail 8-10.

A timely, well-taken four on the 13th put them back in front at 13-10 with five ends to play and a tense run-in produced some great bowls and saw Guernsey and Wales embark on the last end with the scores level, 14-14.

The shot changed hands several times on that end, but Donaldson earned cheers when he drew a close shot with his first bowl, leaving 'Sparky' Wyatt firing in desperation with his last two bowls.

Even though he was slightly off target, his drives re-arranged bowls in the head and could have done some damage, but when the dust had settled, the Guernsey shot was still in place and a one-shot victory was achieved.

In today's semi-finals, the Guernsey trio will face a Scottish trio skipped by international Billy Mellors.

Rumours that Donaldson, who is also in the singles, might receive a bye into the final of that event were quashed when his opponent in today's semi-final, England ace Paul Coleman, got the nod from his employer and told the English Bowling Association that he would be able to fulfil the fixture.

Meanwhile, in the pairs semi-final, John Wallis and Gary Pitschou are preparing to meet Scottish duo Tommy Mann and Neil Speirs, who shocked England's Paul Barlow and Steve Farish yesterday when they notched up a 20-9 victory.