Young stars given chance to shine

DAMIAN WALLEN and Liz Stonebridge lead the Guernsey sides at this weekend's four-island Barclays Wealth Tournament in the Isle of Man. The sides head to Douglas wary of the Jersey challenge but in the dark as to the ability of the Bermudian sides.

Youth gets a chance in both Sarnian squads.

Wallen admits his side are not as strong as two years ago when they won the inaugural then triangular tournament.

'We had an extremely strong squad to pick from then,' he said.

'But with various commitments from last year's inter-insular starting XI we have a great opportunity to bring in some extremely talented youngsters.

'Four games against physical and talented opposition will hopefully bring their games up the extra level when competing in these type of tournaments.'

Wallen predicts a tough weekend.

'Not that there are many neutral spectators in a Guernsey v. Jersey game, but they would have probably said that Jersey deserved to win this year's game and I know they've been training for the last six weeks and will be keen to beat us.

'We played Isle of Man in the final last year and ended up winning comfortably, but, being the hosts this year, I would expect them to have a greater squad to pick from, so they will be tough.

'Bermuda, I know nothing about them, but I would expect them to be strong.'

Stonebridge says her team is a good mixture of youth and experience with a new cap for MJ Whalley, wife of men's star Andy.

The absentees include new mums Kath Guille and Emma Atkinson.

Stonebridge said her squad was interchangeable and the tournament will offer the chance to try different line-ups and combinations.

'Team spirit, which is at its usual high, will be important, but I think the key factor that will separate the teams will be fitness. Playing four games in a pre-season weekend is going to be a good test.'

The next two Barclays Wealth Tournaments are already scheduled with a trip to Jersey in 2009 and Bermuda in 2011.