Muratti great Dyer still hates to lose

CHRIS DYER has not experienced a hammering like it in more than 30 years. Guernsey's second most capped footballer - 24 appearances - has risen through the island bowls ranks in no time, but yesterday in his second men's pairs match at the alternative games at the Hougue du Pommier stadium, he saw his gold medal hopes disappear with a 30-7 defeat by Shetlanders John Sales and Gibbie Pottinger.

Dyer never liked losing and this defeat was no different.

'It hurts. I didn't like that at all,' said the man who when asked when the last time he suffered such a hammering, replied: 'all those 1-0 defeats by Jersey'.

Giving the question more consideration, the once fiercely combative island captain recalled a particularly bad day at St Peter's. 'As a Junior B player for Bels we once lost 21-0 to Sylvans'.

But since taking up bowls four years ago Dyer, now 48, has won a lot more times than lost.

He forced his way into the full Guernsey 'British Lions' team and had hopes of winning gold this week with Todd Priaulx, his young partner.

They won their opening round-robin match on Monday but Sales and Pottinger were simply too good, opening a 30-2 advantage before the Sarnians won the last five ends with singles.

Dyer was full of praise for the Shetlanders.

'I'd say they are up to British Lions level and I'm sure they are going to go on to win it this week.

'That's the best performance I've come across in four years.

'But the good thing is that they are two very nice guys,' he added while muttering something about horrible Jerseymen.

'The strange thing is that we didn't play badly. There were not many ends when we didn't have a toucher.'

The Dyer-Priaulx combination has its roots in the former's fours team. 'He's my number three and we have a good understanding.

'Todd started the match better than I did, and I finished the better. It was even Stevens.'